Post by Focus on May 10, 2013 14:39:56 GMT
David Cameron will today set out the UK case for arming Syrian rebels during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Prime Minister will stress the ‘urgent need to start a proper negotiation’ to bring the conflict to an end, tow years after attempts to overthrow President Bashar Assad's regime.
Mr Cameron’s visit to the Russian president's summer residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi comes as details of Britain’s arguments in favour of lifting the arms embargo emerged.
David Cameron today met Russia's President Vladimir Putin to discuss how to end the conflict in Syria
The UK is leading the argument to amend or lift restrictions to allow weapons to be passed to forces opposed to Bashar Assad's regime.
Ahead of his visit Mr Cameron said the atrocities in Syria ‘continue to mount’ and growing evidence that the Asad regime has used chemical weapons.
He told MPs: ‘There is a growing body of limited but persuasive information showing that the regime has used, and continues to use, chemical weapons including sarin. The room for doubt about that continues to diminish.’
Jon Day, chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, is providing regular updates to the National Security Council on information that British forces and allies have gleaned.
Russia has previously blocked international moves through the UN security council to impose sanctions on Syria.
However, a leaked document has revealed the UK Government's arguments in favour of easing the EU arms embargo when the sanctions expire at the end of the month.
Mr Cameron flew in for talks at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi in Russia
The British discussion paper sets out two options: lift the arms embargo against the Syrian National Coalition completely, or remove the words ‘non-lethal’ from a list of exemptions, clearing the way for weapons to be sent to the country.
Carla Del Ponte, a member of the United Nations panel examining allegations of war crimes in Syria, claimed at the weekend that the commission had indications that Syrian rebel forces used sarin.
But Downing Street stands by its assessment that chemical weapons use in Syria "is very likely to have been initiated by the regime" and says it has ‘no evidence’ of opposition use.
Talks between US secretary of state John Kerry and the Russian leadership this week resulted in plans to convene an international conference on Syria later this month.
Free Syrian Army fighters carry their weapons as their move towards positions in the al-Ziyabiya area in Damascus
The UK government has drawn up options which including lifting the embargo against giving arms to opponents of the Assad regime
President Putin met U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry this week, after keeping him waiting for three hours
Mr Cameron is also expected to hold talks in coming days with US president Barack Obama and France's Francois Hollande.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘The UK has taken no decision to arm the Syrian opposition. However, there is likely to be a strong case for further amendments to the EU sanctions regime - or lifting it altogether - if the situation remains as it is, or gets worse.
‘Discussions are continuing in Brussels. We need to find ways to increase pressure on the regime to accept a political solution and ensure we have flexibility to react to the deteriorating situation on the ground.’
More than 70,000 people have died in the conflict since March 2011, according to the United Nations.
Our fight? .. I think not!! - Fx
