Britain to give Syrian rebels body armour, vehicles

LONDON (AFP) - Britain will provide body armour and armoured vehicles to the rebels battling forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Wednesday.

Hague said the non-lethal military aid, worth US$20 million (S$25 million), was a "necessary, proportionate and lawful response" to a situation of "extreme" humanitarian suffering.

"The fact remains that diplomacy is taking far too long and the prospect of an immediate breakthrough is slim," he told parliament.

The announcement comes after the European Union authorised last Thursday the supply of non-lethal military equipment and training to the Syrian opposition.