European Union lifted Arms Embargo on Syrian Rebels

European Union on 27 May 2013 lifted its arms embargo on the Syrian opposition, which has paved the way for individual EU member states to provide weapons to the Syrian rebels.

After long and continuous hour of talk EU governments failed to agree on extending the arms embargo, which effectively ends the EU's ban on supplying arms to the rebels.

The decision was actually taken under the persuasion of British Foreign Secretary William Hague — whose country had pushed with France for a lifting of the arms embargo.

Some other restrictive measures against Syria — which include financing restrictions, travel bans and asset freezes is also supposed to be extended for a year, as there is a fear that the entire sanctions regime could fall over a failure to agree on the arms issue.

Austria, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic are extremely reserved about pouring more arms into Syria, saying relaxing the arms embargo would only lead to more violence.

It is important here to note that the regime of President Bashar al-Assad has been using extensive firepower against lightly armed rebel factions. As per the latest UN Figure around 94000 people have died since the uprising against Assad's regime which was erupted in March 2011.