Austria links UN peacekeepers to Syria arms ban

Austria is urging an extension of the EU arms embargo for Syria, saying it may rethink its UN peacekeeping role in the region otherwise. Austria's 377 soldiers make up the largest continent of the approximately 900 UN peacekeepers posted to the Golan Heights separating Syria and Israel.

Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said Friday they could be targeted by Syrian government forces if EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels Monday decide to allow members to ship arms to rebels. France and Britain are the main EU proponents of arming the rebels. (AP)