But there was no immediate³ decision to send arms to Syrian rebels and all other sanctions remained in force, the EU foreign policy chief said.

 

The decision came after lengthy⁴ talks among divided ministers in Brussels.

 

Meanwhile, a Lebanese military source says three soldiers have been killed by gunmen near the Syrian border.

 

The assailants fled across the border into Syria following the attack on Tuesday morning near the north-eastern town of Arsal, a source reportedly said.

 

 

A far-reaching package of EU sanctions against the government of Bashar al-Assad was due to expire on Saturday.

 

In 12-hour talks in Brussels foreign ministers were unable to reach the unanimous（全体一致的） decision required to extend the current arms embargo, and so agreed to renew the other sanctions - including an assets freeze on President Assad and his aides, and restrictions⁵ on trade in oil and financial transactions - without it.

 

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton read out their joint⁶ text at a news conference late on Monday, saying member states had agreed not to "proceed at this stage with the delivery" of equipment until now subject to the ban.

 

She said the EU's Foreign Affairs Council would review this position before 1 August, in light of fresh developments to end the conflict including the ongoing⁷ US-Russia peace initiative.

 

Now individual member states will have to decide what their own rules are regarding sending arms to Syria.

 

"Member states shall require adequate safeguards against misuse⁸ of authorisations granted," the joint EU text said.

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