Iran condemns EU's lift of arms embargo against Syrian rebels

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi strongly condemned the EU's recent decision to lift its arms embargo against the Syrian rebels, local media reported Thursday. Lifting of the arms embargo on "foreign-sponsored Syrian militants" is yet another proof of the bloc's double standards, Salehi was quoted as saying by Press TV. The Iranian foreign minister made the remarks on the sidelines of an international conference on Syria here on Wednesday. "The world's public opinion will not accept the EU's move to send weapons to terrorists (in Syria). This act originates from the arrogant nature of these countries and their logic of oppression," said Salehi. Meanwhile, he expressed hope that the EU will not put its decision into effect by August and will overturn it, according to the report. On Wednesday, Salehi also lashed out at the Republican U.S. Senator John McCain for his recent visit to Syria and described his meeting with militant commanders as a violation of " international conventions." An international conference on the Syria crisis began in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Wednesday with the participation of more than 40 representatives from countries and international organizations across the globe.