ISTANBUL — A senior figure in the main Western-backed Syrian opposition group has welcomed the European Union (EU) decision to let the bloc's arms embargo expire, calling it a "positive" step.

Syrian National Coalition member Louay Safi says however that a delay in deciding to provide weapons until August means that the Syrian regime can continue killing Syrians.

Tuesday's comments were the first by a Coalition member since EU member states decided late Monday to allow an arms embargo on Syria to expire Saturday.

Still, none of the block's 27 members have any immediate plans to send arms to the rebels.

Safi says the international community should move immediately to stop the killing. He spoke in Istanbul, Turkey, where the opposition has been meeting for days.