COPENHAGEN
Denmark is prepared to provide weapons to moderate opposition groups in Syria, the country's foreign minister, Martin Lidegaard, has said.
In an interview with Danish national daily newspaper Berlingske published on Tuesday, Lidegaar said: “More weapons in Syria are not unproblematic.”
Lidegaard, who visited Syrian camps in Turkey last week, added: “But I want to consider how we can give the moderate opposition the momentum on the battlefield. Heavy weapons are included."
Until now, Denmark has rejected arming the moderate opposition in Syria because of the risk that weapons could end up in the hands of extremist rebels.
'No compromise with Assad'
But Lidegaard declared: "Either we will find a political a solution to the problem, or back the forces we believe in."
He underlined Denmark did not want to compromise with Syrian leader Bassar al-Assad.
The minister also stressed the importance of opening a humanitarian corridor in Syria urgently, adding: "Military forces need to realize this."
Since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011, more than 160,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Syria.
Another 9.5 million, almost half of the population, have been driven from their homes.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
