Britain has welcomed the European Union's decision to end the arms embargo on the Syrian opposition.
EU foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels yesterday agreed to not renew the arms embargo on the Syrian opposition, due to expire on June 1.
However, there was no immediate decision to send arms to Syrian rebels and all other sanctions remain in force.
"This was the outcome that the United Kingdom wanted. It was a difficult decision for some countries, but it was necessary and right to reinforce international efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Syria," British foreign minister William Hague said in a statement at the end of nearly 12 hours of talks in Brussels.
"It was important for Europe to send a clear signal to the Assad regime that it has to negotiate seriously, and that all options remain on the table if it refuses to do so."
EU member states can now decide their own policy on sending arms to Syria, but agreed not to "proceed at this stage with the delivery" of equipment.
