Foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton: EU united on Syria 'solution'

European Union foreign ministers are to discuss British and French calls for an easing of sanctions against Syria so weapons can be supplied to the rebels.

France and the UK are expected to argue that the move would increase pressure on Damascus for a political solution.

However, several EU states are totally opposed to ending the arms embargo, which expires on 31 May.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters there is ''a strong spirit of trying to find a good European solution'' over Syria and the arms embargo issue.