Brahimi to update EU FMs on Syrian crisis

The United Nations and Arab League Special Representative for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, will brief European Union Foreign Ministers on the situation in Syria in Brussels on Monday, 11 March, a senior EU official told journalists today. Brahimi will update the ministers on efforts for a political solution and on the initiative of opposition leader Mouaz al-Khatib to negotiate with regime representatives inside liberated areas of northern Syria. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stressed that all EU member states support a political and diplomatic solution to end the Syrian crisis. The issue of Syrian refugees will also be discussed in Monday's formal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Council. The increase in inflow of Syrian refugees to neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey is having a toll on THE economy and stability of the countries, he noted. Some EU member states are calling for a review of sanctions on Syria as they are increasing the suffering of the population inside the country. The ministers might look into easing of the oil embargo on Syria in order to alleviate the suffering of the population. In February, the EU decided to extend the sanctions against the Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad for three months and amended the EU arms embargo so as to allow for the provision of non-lethal equipment and technical assistance to the opposition forces. A possibility to train Syrian opposition fighters exists but this position is in no way shared by all EU member states, noted the official. The EU ministers will also exchange views on the situation in Iraq including the impact of the conflict in Syria. They will discuss political developments in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia and relations with Russia and Japan. The Council is expected to ado