DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's foreign minister says the decision by the U.S. and Western countries to arm rebel groups is "very dangerous" and will prolong the violence and killing in the country.

Walid al-Moallem also says sending weapons to the opposition will hinder efforts to bring both sides to the table in a planned peace conference in Geneva.

He spoke Monday at a news conference in the capital Damascus two days after an 11-nation group that includes the U.S. met in the Qatari capital of Doha and agreed to step up military and other assistance to the Syrian rebels.

"We are not scared," al-Moallem said of the decision.