British PM Says Assad Getting Stronger, No Decision on Arming Rebels
British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday that the Syrian conflict was "on the wrong trajectory", admitting the Assad regime may be getting stronger, and urged more help for opposition forces.
"It's very depressing picture and it's a picture that is, I think, on the wrong trajectory," Cameron said in an interview with the BBC.
He added: "You've got an evil president who's doing dreadful things to his people... I think he may be stronger than he was a few months ago.
"But I'd still describe the situation as a stalemate."
Cameron said Britain had still not decided whether to arm the rebels fighting President Bashar Assad, but said more could be done to help those who wanted a democratic Syria.
"We do need to do more to help promote those parts of the opposition that want a free, pluralistic, democratic Syria," he said.
"We're not arming the rebels. We have made no decision about that.
"It's no good complaining about the rebels if you're not going to try and help those that want a free, democratic, pluralistic Syria.
"And that's why we're helping with non-military equipment, we're helping with technical assistance and training."
The prime minister admitted there was "too much extremism" among some of the rebels, but insisted "that's not a reason for just pulling up the drawbridge" and doing nothing.
"What we should be doing is working with international partners to help the millions of Syrians who want to have a free, democratic Syria, who want to see that country have some chance of success," he said.
Source: Agence France Presse
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