UK set to supply FSA with Armoured Vehicles & Body Armour

The UK is to supply armoured vehicles and body armour to
opposition forces in Syria, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.

In a statement to the Commons, William Hague said Britain would increase aid
to Syrian opposition forces, including providing "new types of non-lethal
equipment for the protection of civilians", after EU sanctions had been
amended.

He said the UK, along with the National Coalition, was in the middle of
trying to identify "the protective equipment that will be of most use to them
and likely to save most lives".

"It will certainly include armoured four-wheel drive vehicles to help
opposition forces move around more freely as well as personal protection
equipment including body armour," he added.

Testing equipment to provide evidence of any use of chemical weapons by the
regime and training for armed groups in international human rights and legal
standards is also being sent.

Mr Hague said £3m had been allocated this month for the work with another
£10m to follow - urging other countries to do the same.