Syria: end of embargo raises fears of arms race

Tank outside Syrian church

News that both the EU and Russia are now officially supplying weapons to both sides in Syria, has been met with great concern by church leaders, peace campaigners and humanitarian organisations working in the region.

Yesterday the European Union agreed to lift its voluntary arms embargo for Syrian rebels. Today Russia confirmed that it is looking into giving the Syrian government more high-powered missiles.

This development raises the prospect of a new foreign-fed arms race in the Middle East, which could spill into neighbouring countries.

Bruce Kent, Vice Chair of Pax Christi said this evening: "Selling arms to one side in a civil conflict is simply fanning the flames and does nothing to promote peace in the region. What we should be doing is making every effort to bring both sides to the negotiating table - not bringing more arms into this unstable situation conflict. It will be difficult to even monitor who receives these weapons."

Since the uprising began, Church leaders have been urging countries to stop supplying Syria with arms.

On 26 February, the Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarch Gregory III Laham in Damascus, said: "We appeal to the whole world to stop arms from being sent to Syria. We ask the international community and the most important countries in the world, to support Syrian efforts to promote dialogue, in order to reach a diplomatic solution to the crisis."

He said: "From the depth of our heart we cry to the conscience of the entire world, to leaders of nations, especially of Arab countries, to international institutions, to peace militants, to His Holiness the Pope and to Bishops Conferences throughout the world. We beg them to listen to our voice and to see the suffering of the Syrian people.

"No one has the right to exonerate himself or deny his responsibility in the face of these massacres, this destruction and these acts of violence, or in the face of hatred and rancour between sons of the same homeland ".

Gregory III Laham appealed lastly to the United States and to Russia to "continue sincere efforts to promote dialogue and reach a political and global solution " and finally urged "His Holiness, the Pope, and those in positions of responsibility at the Apostolic See of Rome, to launch a diplomatic initiative on behalf of the Catholic Church based on its world wide spiritual influence ".

Last week, Caritas Lebanon, who have assisted more than 100,000 refugees from Syria described the humanitarian situation as "desperate". In a report the agency said: "The rising flow of refugees has brought
surrounding countries economically and socially to their limits... There cannot be an end to the suffering of the Syrian population as long as the fighting continues."

The UN estimates that more than 80,000 people in Syria have lost their lives in the conflict since March 2011. According to official statistics, there are 1.2 million registered Syrian refugees, 4.5 million internally displaced persons and about 6.8 million people in need.

In his first Easter message, Pope Francis said: "How much suffering must there still be before a political solution" can be found?" Caritas echoed this appeal calling for the world to stop fuelling the conflict and show international solidarity by searching for political solutions.

“We have to do everything to help warring parties engage in a true and respectful dialogue which allows people to access their basic necessities and ultimately leads to peace for the Syrian people,” said Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, President of Caritas Internationalis. “We should all be working to restore the sense of one human family rooted in a civilization of love that God calls us to develop in all countries and communities.”

Msgr Antoine Audo, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo and President of Caritas Syria said: “The Christian community is deeply rooted in Syrian society and it is engaged in promoting reconciliation and national dialogue, respect and ultimately peace. We pray for the illumination of the hearts as the Holy Father said and for peace. We hope our prayers are heard in heaven and our need for solidarity recognized on earth.”