ODFS Director, Ribal Al-Assad, has expressed deep concern at the proposed lifting of the EU arms embargo on Syria. Commenting on the situation Ribal said:

I am very concerned to hear that the EU is to lift its current arms embargo on Syria – this will only serve to further militarise the conflict. All sides should be working towards a peaceful solution through dialogue not further bloodshed.

It is evident that the majority of rebels are from Islamist factions and it is astounding that EU members are content with arming these people. This won’t only serve to escalate the conflict in Syria but my worry is a pervading instability in the region more generally – this action will no doubt start an arms race between the regime and the rebels, who knows where that will lead?

Let us also reflect on how this decision could affect Europe, as the U.K. Home Office has just warned, hundreds of British and other European nationals are currently fighting alongside Al-Qaeda linked groups in Syria – what happens when these individuals return to their home countries? I fear we may see an increase of lone terrorist attacks as witnessed so horrifically last week in Woolwich.

I maintain that the only way forward in Syria is to pursue a peaceful political solution to the conflict and I fully agree with the sentiments of Michael Spindelegger, Austria’s Foreign Minister, who said:

“We just received the Nobel Peace Prize and to now go in the direction of intentionally getting involved in a conflict with weapon deliveries, I think that is wrong”

I ask EU member states to reconsider this decision and maintain the current arms embargo. This is a wholly irresponsible decision and I am very worried about the path it will lead down.”