THE British and French have chosen to lift the Syrian arms embargo. Other UN nations are not in agreement, being of the opinion that plenty of arms are already in the hands of all sides.

The declaration by these two countries can only described as a political gesture with little or no result. Both sides are already being supplied with arms by some United Nation members.

President Assad’s opponents form several groups of which one or two would not be considered suitable to be helped by the British, and there would be little chance of ensuring that that the chosen group would be the benefactors.

After more than two years of chaotic conflict, there will be a collection of armament of every type. They will have been distributed by the very nature of the battle, as arms and artillery are scattered and collected by those still capable, on both sides.

Both sides are already alleged to have used chemical weapons.

President Assad might still have a small chance of quelling the rebellion. Or maybe if he failed there may be an unintended and unwelcome outcome.

J Beisly, Osprey Close, York.


• FOREIGN Secretary William Hague seems to be hell bent of getting rid of the president of Syria.

We should not be taking sides in this dispute at all. Have we learned nothing at all from our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Mr Hague made sure he got a motion put through in Brussels so that Britain and others can send aid to arm the rebel forces fighting against the government. And he seems determined to bring down President Assad.

We now see that the Syrian administration might receive arms from Russia in the form of air defence missiles.

Britain should not get involved in this conflict any further.

Tom Mitchell, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.


• SO THIS country is broke, every body has to knuckle down. Then our great leaders decide to send arms to Syria, Who is going to pay for this? We taxpayers, of course.

The government does not even know if these weapons could be given to terrorists and possibly even uses against us in future.

Let’s keep our nose out for a change.

W Poole, Falcon Close, Haxby, York.