By Louise Riondel
By Louise Riondel
Morocco World News
Rennes, France, March 16, 2013
Two years after the beginning of the anti-government uprising which has killed over 70.000 in Syria, the French President reaffirmed his support to a weapons plan in Brussels. For François Hollande, selling weapons to Syrian rebels is the logical next step in the country’s fight against terrorism.
Both France and the UK want the EU embargo agreed in 2011 to be lifted. Hollande stated after an EU meeting “We have the certainty on the use of these weapons.” UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron insisted they wouldn’t hesitate to counter the embargo. “If we want to take individual action, [and] we think that is in our national interest, of course we are free to do so,” he said.
When the current sanctions against Syria expire on May 31, one vote will be sufficient to prevent its renewal. However, the duo still needs to advocate for the cause among the other European leaders.
According to Angela Merkel, rallying the other nations will not be an easy task, considering that “The fact that two [countries] have changed their position is not enough for 25 others to follow suit”. Indeed, Germany, Sweden and Austria are believed to be reluctant to lift the embargo.
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the arms embargo again in Dublin on March 22 and 23.
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