EU governments on Monday agreed to extend sanctions against Syria for another three months but plan to alter an arms embargo to allow more non-lethal aid and technical assistance into the country.
By News Wires (text)
European Union governments agreed on Monday to renew sanctions against Syria for three months but said they would amend an arms embargo to provide more non-lethal support and technical assistance to protect civilians.
The decision, taken at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting, was a compromise after weeks of disagreement between Britain, which was pushing for an easing of the arms embargo to help rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, and a number of other EU countries opposed to letting more weapons into the country.
“Technical assistance and protection of civilians will be easier,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said after the meeting in Brussels. He gave no details of what new support would be allowed in practice.
Many EU governments are concerned any easing of the arms embargo would only inflame the Syrian conflict, and it would be difficult to ensure any equipment reaches the right people.
“There is no shortage of arms in Syria,” Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said before the meeting.
Several scenarios were under consideration during Monday’s discussions, EU officials said, including a full lifting of the arms ban for shipments to opposition groups.
(REUTERS
The decision, taken at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting, was a compromise after weeks of disagreement between Britain, which was pushing for an easing of the arms embargo to help rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, and a number of other EU countries opposed to letting more weapons into the country.
“Technical assistance and protection of civilians will be easier,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said after the meeting in Brussels. He gave no details of what new support would be allowed in practice.
Many EU governments are concerned any easing of the arms embargo would only inflame the Syrian conflict, and it would be difficult to ensure any equipment reaches the right people.
“There is no shortage of arms in Syria,” Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said before the meeting.
Several scenarios were under consideration during Monday’s discussions, EU officials said, including a full lifting of the arms ban for shipments to opposition groups.
(REUTERS
The fact that there isn't a shortage of arms in Syria, while no surprise, just adds more tension and unease to the situation. Perhaps these new sanctions against Syria will actually impact the conflict and cause it to end sooner.
ReplyDelete-Emma H.