European Union governments have been unable to achieve a consensus on easing an arms embargo on Syria, Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said on Monday. Lifting the embargo on Syria would help rebels who are fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

A meeting was held in Brussels on Monday where EU foreign ministers tried to resolve differences over the issue. Britain and France supported to allow European governments to deliver arms to Syrian rebels. On the other hand, Austria and several other EU capitals expressed opposition to the move.

Spindelegger told reporters that after having such a long conversation, it was not possible to find a compromise with the U. K. and France.

Other EU diplomats said that more discussions will take place in the evening. In case, if no deal is struck in late-night talks between EU foreign ministers, all EU sanctions on Syria will expire on Saturday. This will leave

individual member states to decide whether to keep the restrictions in place.

If the expiration of sanctions happens due to failure of salvaging a deal on Saturday, it will also include the sanctions on the Assad government.

"Nothing has failed. Germany and the Netherlands will push very hard to find an acceptable compromise for everybody", a Dutch diplomat said.