Saudi Arabia calls on EU to arm Syrian rebels

Saudi Arabia, a foe of Syrian President Bashar Assad, has urged the European Union to arm Syrian rebels without delay, following similar action by the United States.

The European Union lifted restrictions on arming the rebels in May when it failed to renew a weapons arms embargo before it expired on June 1. But Britain and France, which had advocated lifting the ban, said they would not send weapons before Aug. 1. (Reuters)