UK Possibly Shifting on Syrian Arms Embargo

May allow sending non-lethal military equipment to rebel forces

William Hague, Britain's foreign secretary, signalled on Thursday that the UK is looking to amend the EU arms embargo on Syria to allow the export of more non-lethal military equipment to rebels fighting the Assad regime.

In a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, Mr Hague said there was a "serious risk" that the violence in Syria would increase in the coming months and that the international community's response "will have to be stepped up".

He therefore said the UK will look to amend the EU arms embargo, indicating that equipment such as body armour and night vision goggles could be provided to opposition forces on the ground.