The U.S. secretary of
state, wrapping up his visit to Istanbul, says an important breakthrough has
been achieved among countries supporting the Syrian opposition.
Secretary of State John
Kerry described the agreement by 11 countries supporting the Syrian opposition
to distribute all military aid and assistance through the leadership of General
Salim Idris of the Free Syrian Army as a major breakthrough.
"I think that
maybe one of the most important single things that was agreed on last night
that can make a difference to the situation of the ground," said Kerry.
The agreement hammered
out late on Saturday night in Istanbul by members of the "Friends of
Syria" group is aimed at undermining the growing power of radical Jihadist
groups affiliated with al-Qaida that are fighting the government of Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad.
Secure control over the
distribution of military aid is seen as important to help persuade European
countries and Washington to ease an arms embargo against the rebel forces.
Currently, Western countries are only supplying non-lethal aid to the
opposition. Opponents of lifting the embargo have expressed fears that
sophisticated weapons could end up in radical hands.
Israeli-Turkish
relations were also on Secretary Kerry's agenda Sunday. After a working
lunch with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, Kerry pressed Ankara to
build on U.S.-initiated rapprochement efforts between Turkey and Israel.
The United States brokered a diplomatic breakthrough in March with Israel
apologizing to Turkey over the killing of nine Turks during a 2010 Israeli
naval raid on a flotilla trying to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Kerry called on Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Erdogan to reconsider a planned visit next month to meet
with the Hamas leadership in Gaza.
"We have expressed
to the prime minister that we really think it would be better delayed and
should not take place at this time," said Kerry.
Kerry expressed concern
the visit could harm his efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace
talks. Erdogan's planned visit to Gaza is opposed by both Israel and the
Palestinian Authority. Kerry said the issue could be raised when the
Turkish prime minister visits Washington next month.
Sources :
http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-11-nations-to-direct-syria-aid-through-rebel-general/1645918.html
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