Syrian lawmaker criticizes EU arms decision

A Syrian lawmaker has criticized the EU decision to let the bloc's arms embargo on Syria expire, saying efforts to provide the rebels with weapons will discourage the opposition from seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Essam Khalil, a member of parliament for the ruling Baath Party, says the EU's decision will hinder joint US-Russian efforts to convene a peace conference aimed at bringing members of President Bashar Assad's regime and opposition figures together to seek a negotiated settlement to the 26-month-old conflict. (AP)