Relaxing arms embargo could help topple Assad

Britain could back a French push to weaken the European arms embargo on Syria to supply weapons including anti-aircraft missiles to the rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

David Cameron and members of his National Security Committee yesterday (Thursday) discussed options for ending the Syrian conflict, including supplying weapons.

France called for a EU arms embargo on Syria to be relaxed to allow "defensive arms" to be given to the rebels. It is believed that could include missiles to prevent bombing raids.

Laurent Fabius, the French foreign minister, said it was "unacceptable that there are liberated zones and that they be bombarded by Bashar's planes".

The opposition National Coalition has asked the French government to push for a relaxation of the embargo, he said, adding: "This is something that we can only do in co-ordination with the Europeans."

France and Britain led international military intervention in Libya last year, and are setting the pace again over Syria. Diplomats believe Germany is more supportive of action over Syria than it was over Libya.

Supplying arms and equipment to the rebels was one of the options discussed at yesterday's NSC meeting, although officials insisted that ministers made no firm decisions on Syria. Other military options include imposing a no-fly zone over rebel-held areas. However, Syria's Russian-made anti-aircraft weapons mean any Western flights over the country might be unacceptably dangerous.

Another option discussed at the NSC was the creation of "safe havens" where civilians could shelter.

General Sir David Richards, the Chief of the General Staff, acknowledged earlier this week that such a course might require British ground forces to be deployed in the region. The Daily Telegraph revealed yesterday that Sir David has warned ministers that the Armed Forces do not have the resources to do everything that is asked of them.

Rebels claim that almost 40,000 people have died in Syria since last year, when Assad's forces began attacking those who challenge the dictator's rule.

However, any move to arm the rebels risks a diplomatic row after Russia, Syria's most important ally, warned that doing so would be a clear breach of international law.

"Outside help to the opposition waging an armed battle against a legitimate government is a gross violation of fundamental norms of international law," the Russian foreign ministry said.

British officials insisted that the UK remains committed to seeking United Nations approval for any fresh action, but Cameron has not ruled out acting without an explicit UN mandate.

-- Cuts in the number of senior officers in the Armed Forces will go ahead despite Sir David's warning that they will reduce Britain's influence abroad.

The general has said that cutting the number of officers makes it harder for Britain's forces to form effective working partnerships with allies. But government sources insisted that the cuts will go ahead. A source said: "It is only right that at a time when junior ranks are feeling the squeeze, the top brass take their fair share too."