The European Union's plan to ease an oil embargo to help Syrian rebels is a "pragmatic experiment" that could lead to further lifting of sanctions to tilt the balance of the conflict against President Bashar al-Assad, Reuters cited a senior EU official as saying on Friday. Next week, EU governments will allow purchases of oil from the opposition, as part of a broader effort to help rebels waging a two-year uprising against Assad in which an estimated 70,000 people have died. The conflict is broadly in stalemate. The rebels have complained to the United Nations bodies, the official said, that sanctions - imposed in response to Assad's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests - are hurting civilians and asked for wide-ranging economic help. The rebels have gained control over some of Syria's oil-producing territory, including in the eastern provinces of Hasakah and Deir al-Zor, although these areas remain vulnerable to shelling and air strikes by government forces. Oil sales could give the rebels much-needed cash for infrastructure repairs and to build up local governance, and, possibly, to fund purchases of arms. -- SPA 20:56 LOCAL TIME 17:56 GMT تغريد
