Russia foresees rising extremism in Syrian opposition ranks

The refusal of the Syrian opposition to enter peace talks with the government would increase extremists' influence in that country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday. "That (refusal) could be a false signal which objectively strengthens the positions of the extremists in that country," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters. Russia was concerned with the continuing violence in Syria and the border tension between Syria and neighboring Turkey and Israel, Lukashevich said. Meanwhile, the diplomat said the supply of weapons to the Syrian opposition groups was unacceptable. "External assistance to the opposition waging armed hostilities against the legitimate government would be a gross violation of fundamental provisions of international law," Lukashevich said. On Thursday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on French RTL radio Paris intended to push the relaxation of the European Union's arms embargo to Syria. By making such efforts, France hoped "defensive arms" could reach the Syrian opposition groups, Fabius said.