Syria slams West for arming militants

Syria has strongly condemned a decision by France and Britain to supply arms to foreign-backed militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Damascus on Thursday called the decision “a flagrant violation of international law.”

Paris and London have said they will send weapons to the militants even if the European Union objects to the move.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius noted that the two European countries have a duty to help the militants.

He said France and Britain will soon ask for an EU meeting to order the immediate lifting of the current embargo on sending arms to Syria, which is due to expire in May.

Talks of arming the militants has raised concerns about abuses by the anti-Damascus forces.

Human rights monitors said in a report on Thursday that the terrorists routinely kill captured soldiers and people loyal to Syrian government.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that arming Syria’s militants would be a breach of international law.

Media reports say militants in Syria have been receiving arms from a number of Western countries at the expense of Saudi Arabia. Qatar and Turkey are also aiding the armed gangs in Syria.