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Germany ready to discuss Syrian arms embargo at EU

14 March 2013, 15:21 CET
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(BERLIN) - Germany said on Thursday it was ready to discuss within the European Union a lifting of the bloc's embargo on arming Syrian rebels after France and Britain backed the move.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle highlighted in a written statement that European sanctions against Syria had been modified two weeks ago in line with the current situation.

But he added: "If important partners in the European Union now see a different situation, which in their view once again makes a change of the sanction decisions necessary, naturally we are ready to discuss it immediately in the EU."

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said earlier that Paris and London were seeking to lift the EU embargo to enable them to arm Syrian rebels, arguing that Moscow's supply of weapons to Damascus was giving the regime an unfair edge.

The EU responded saying it was possible to hold talks on whether to arm Syrian rebels "without further delay".

The 27-nation bloc last month amended its embargo to allow member nations to supply "non-lethal" equipment and training to the opposition but stopped short of lifting the ban entirely.


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