PARIS (AA) - Among the concerns that chemical weapons could fall into the hands of radical groups, French President Francois Hollande said on Friday they could supply weapons to rebels within a “controlled framework.”
"France is ready to start supplying weapons to rebels fighting against Syrian regime... but we will do it in a broader context with a number of countries and in a framework that can be controlled," Hollande told press members in the Malian capital of Bamako.
France has not accepted until now arming the rebels, fearing that the weapons could fall into the hands of extremists in the country.
Paris has so far provided non-lethal aid to Syrian rebels, ranging from bullet-proof vests, night-vision goggles and communications equipment.
French president's remarks came after Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil admitted the civil war in his country had reached a stalemate and said the government wanted a ceasefire.
"Neither the armed opposition nor the regime is capable of defeating the other side," Syria’s Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil told Britain’s Guardian newspaper.
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