EU lifts arms embargo on Syria rebels

European Union foreign ministers have agreed not to renew the union's arms embargo on the Syrian opposition, BBC reported. 

But there was no immediate decision to send arms to Syrian rebels and all other sanctions remained in force, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters.

The decision came after lengthy talks among divided ministers in Brussels.

A far-reaching package of sanctions against the government of Bashar al-Assad was due to expire on Saturday.

Britain and France had been pressing for the ability to send weapons to what they call moderate opponents of President Assad, saying it would push Damascus towards a political solution to the two-year conflict.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the outcome of the Brussels talks, saying it was "important for Europe to send a clear signal to the Assad regime that it has to negotiate seriously, and that all options remain on the table if it refuses to do so."

But other countries had opposed opening the way for weapons to be sent, saying it would only worsen the violence that has already cost at least 80,000 lives.