Germany "sceptical" about lifting Syrian arms embargo

German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere reacted sceptically Thursday to France's announcement that it would seek to have a European arms embargo on Syria lifted to allow the supply of weapons to opposition forces, reported dpa.

"Personally I can't conceal a certain scepticism," de Maiziere said after a meeting in Paris of defence and foreign ministers from France, Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain.

Lifting the embargo would require a unanimous decision by EU leaders, de Maiziere pointed out.