Britain could send “security and civilian-military” trainers to assist insurgents in Syria, despite failing to lift the European Union (EU) arms embargo.
The decision followed a debate by European foreign ministers to ease an arms embargo against Syria to increase support for militants in the Arab country while tightening economic sanctions against the Syrian government.
Following opposition to lift the embargo from Germany, Sweden and over 20 other countries, British Foreign Minister William Hague suggested a compromise to allow “technical assistance” for the insurgents.
“It is important because it shows that we can change the arms embargo and the worse the situation becomes the more we can change,” he said.
“It allows is to supply a greater range of equipment to protect civilian life in Syria,” Hague claimed despite the British government being repeatedly accused of arming Syrian terrorists.
The Syrian unrest began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed ever since.
MOS/SSM/HE
