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           Syrian National Council Calls for EU to Quickly Arm Rebels

   by VOA News

   Syria's main anti-government coalition is calling for the European
   Union to quickly supply rebels with weapons, following an EU decision
   to lift an arms embargo on the country's opposition groups.
   In a statement Wednesday, the Syrian National Council urges the EU to
   provide rebels with "specialized weaponry" to repel what it calls
   "fierce attacks waged against unarmed civilians."
   The EU's decision this week allows individual European countries to
   provide arms for the largely outgunned Syrian rebels. But so far, even
   countries such as Britain and France, who have supported arming the
   opposition, say they have no plans to do so.
   ''Some countries are believed to be waiting to see if progress can be
   made on a U.S. and Russian-proposed peace conference to resolve the
   two-year conflict.
   Russia's foreign minister on Wednesday accused Washington of
   undermining the peace talk efforts by backing what he called an
   "odious" and "one-sided" resolution at the United Nations Human Rights
   Council.
   ''Sergei Lavrov says the draft resolution, which condemns the Syrian
   government's alleged use of heavy weapons against civilians, employs
   "double standards" and would complicate efforts to find a political
   solution. The U.N. human rights body is set to debate the resolution
   Wednesday.
   [1]Related - Russian Missile Plan Chills Chances for Syrian No-Fly Zone
   Meanwhile, Moscow has come under criticism for promising to go ahead
   with the sale of advanced anti-aircraft missiles to its ally in
   Damascus.
   ''Moscow said this week it plans to deliver the advanced S-300 air
   defense system to the embattled government of Syrian President Bashar
   al-Assad, despite objections by the United States, France and Israel.
   Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday the
   transfer will be a "stabilizing factor" and will deter what he calls
   "some hotheads" from considering sending foreign forces to intervene in
   the Syrian conflict.
   Analysts say it will be more difficult for the United States or other
   Western powers to enforce a no-fly zone over Syria if Russia goes ahead
   with the sale. Ben MacQueen, a Middle East analyst at Australia's
   Monash University says the surface-to-air missiles would represent a
   major upgrade to Syria's current air defenses and could challenge
   Western aircraft.
   ''"The S-300 has the capacity to knock down cruise missiles as well as
   high-altitude planes. So the possession of the S-300 certainly does
   pose greater difficulties to a no-fly zone," he said.
   Some top American lawmakers have been urging the Obama administration
   to consider a no-fly zone to stop Syrian armed forces from carrying out
   air attacks that have killed a large number of both rebels and
   civilians during the two-year conflict.
   Israel and the United States have urged Russia not to proceed with the
   sale, fearing the air defense system will threaten Israeli security and
   complicate any military action they may take in Syria.
   Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon toughened that message Tuesday,
   warning of possible retaliation if the Russian missile technology is
   transferred.
   "Obviously from our perspective it is a threat at this stage," he said.
   "I cannot affirm that things have been expedited. The shipments are not
   on their way yet, this I can say. I hope they will not leave and if,
   God forbid, they reach Syria, we will know what to do."
   Western sources say Israel carried out several air strikes in Syria
   earlier this month, apparently to stop the Syrian government from
   transferring sophisticated weapons to the pro-Assad Lebanese militant
   group Hezbollah. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility
   for the strikes.
   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-national-council-calls-for-eu-
   to-quickly-arm-rebels/1670408.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/russian-missile-plan-chills-chances-for-syrian-no-fly-zone/1670350.html
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-national-council-calls-for-eu-to-quickly-arm-rebels/1670408.html