EU divided over approach to Syria conflict

After a two-year civil war that has killed 70,000 people, Paris and London say they want to raise pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and try to force him to the negotiating table by allowing the supply of arms to the rebels.
EU countries such as Germany, Austria and Sweden oppose the move, fearing it could lead to weapons falling into the hands of Islamist militants, fuel regional conflict and encourage Assad's backers, Iran and Russia, to step up arms supplies to him.

www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/23/us-syria-crisis-eu-idUSBRE92M0CP20130323