France is ready to arm Syrian rebels without agreement of European Union partners 1503131.

The two countries are seeking military help for the rebels by the end of May or earlier if possible, but face Germany and other EU nations that have been skeptical about sending weapons, pointing to the risk of further escalation in a volatile region.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Thursday called for an urgent EU meeting before the end of March to discuss the issue. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron made similar comments this week. And late Thursday, French President François Hollande said France "would take its responsibilities" if the EU embargo isn't changed by the end of May,

Hollande insisted that the rebels are fighting on an uneven battlefield because Russia and others are arming Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

"We have to go further," Hollande said. "For two years now, there is the clear willingness of Bashar Assad to use all means to hit out at his own people."

This week, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the UK could make its own foreign policy on supplying rebels. But Cameron stressed that the UK has not yet decided to circumvent the EU's arms embargo.