UK

Britain seeks new way to heap pressure on Syria

LONDON (AP) — Foreign Secretary William Hague says Britain plans to propose a loosening of European Union sanctions to keep pressure on the Syrian regime.

The move would give Britain more flexibility to arm moderate Syrian rebels if the situation there continues to deteriorate. Hague said Thursday the move is necessary to Britain can keep all options on the table in its bid to pressure Syrian President Bashar Assad.

He says Britain supports the mediation efforts of U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who plans to meet Friday with senior U.S. and Russian diplomats in Geneva to discuss the crisis. Hague also announced a 2 million pound ($3.2 million) increase in non-lethal aid to Syrian opposition groups.

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