STRASBOURG, France_The European Parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of tough restrictions on air marshals on flights within the European Union, permitting them to carry weapons only under strict conditions.
According to amendments to a draft bill, armed air marshals need permission from the country granting the airline's operating license, the country of a flight's departure and each nation along the flight path.
The EU assembly, which has approved a draft bill on safety rules for European aircraft, also voted that security costs be met by both travelers and member states, and stressed that security taxes must be used solely for airport and onboard security.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the United States demanded that European nations place armed air marshals on selected U.S.-bound flights, but most European airlines are opposed to the idea.
Under current rules, the 27 EU governments can individually decide if their national airlines are allowed armed marshals on board.
EU lawmakers also demanded Wednesday that measures such as limiting the amount of liquids passengers can take on board expire six months after being implemented, unless it is proven that security risks remain.
The EU last year restricted passengers to carrying 100 milliliters (a fifth of a pint) of liquid per container on planes - part of regulations imposed after British police said last year they had broken up a plot to bring down U.S.-bound flights with liquid-based explosives.
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