Syria: EU split over push to lift rebel arms embargo
Source: Guardian
British efforts to persuade the European Union to lift the arms embargo to Syrian rebels are facing defeat, with strong opposition from EU members alarmed that weapons could fall into the wrong hands.
The foreign secretary, William Hague, joined the French on Monday in arguing that supplying arms to "moderate" opposition forces would lead to less killing in Syria. Others argued the opposite, saying that arms supplies would only escalate the conflict.
Several countries – notably Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden – oppose it for fear that weapons may fall into the hands of Islamic extremist groups, such as Jabhat al-Nusra. Germany has been trying to fashion a compromise.
Guido Westerwelle, the German foreign minister, said he would try to "build bridges" at the meeting of EU foreign ministers, but consensus looked elusive, with participants delivering contradictory statements.
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/27/syria-eu-split-rebel-arms-embargo
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The only thing that makes sense is that either they have illusions about restoring the Empire or the Saudis are paying British politicians extra billions out of the Yamamah slush fund. Or both. 
