Assad accuses UK of bullying

Syrian President Bashar al- Assad has accused the British government of naivety and bullying when dealing with the conflict taking place in his country. 

He accused Prime Minister David Cameron of attempting to end an EU arms embargo so rebel forces in Syria could be supplied with weapons. 

He branded Mr Cameron’s government as “naive, confused, unrealistic” and said, “how can we expect to ask Britain to play a role when it is determined to militarise the problem?”

Mr Assad added: “The problem with this government is that their shallow and immature rhetoric only highlights this tradition of bullying and hegemony”.  

Foreign Secretary William Hague confirmed amendments to the arms embargo had been agreed on. He said this was only done in order to “allow us to send more, a wider range of non-lethal equipment that will do more to save lives”. 

Arguing against claims of bullying, Mr Hague said: “We – Britain – are the people sending food and shelter and blankets to help people driven from their homes and families in his name. We are the people sending medical supplies to try to look after people injured and abused by the soldiers working for this man, President Assad.”

The conflict between Syrian government forces and rebel forces continues. The National Coalition, the main Syrian opposition alliance, has refused offers of talks with the government while President Assad is still in power. 

Molly Kersey