Wednesday, May 1, 2013

US Weighs Shift in Syrian Opposition Aid



 U.S. President Barack Obama is reported to be considering supplying weapons to the Syrian opposition, a move the United States has resisted because of fears that arms could end up in the hands of anti-Western rebels.

Senior White House officials say the president has not yet made a decision, but has asked his national security team to identify ways the United States can increase its assistance.

So far, that aid has been limited to non-lethal support.
National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement late Tuesday that U.S. aid for the opposition "has been on an upward trajectory."  But officials say efforts are still being explored to achieve a political solution to the Syrian crisis, which has stretched on for more than two years.

President Barack Obama said Tuesday he needs more facts about chemical weapons use in Syria before committing to stronger action against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Obama has called the use of chemical weapons in Syria a "game changer,"  but refused to give details on what options he would consider.

Last week, the White House told lawmakers it believes "with varying degrees of confidence" that the Assad government has used sarin gas against rebels.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Syria to allow an immediate and unconditional investigation into the allegations.

Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari denies his government has used chemical weapons and accuses the rebels of using them.

"If they had any proof, any evidence, any tools - credible - they should share it with the secretary-general.  They should share it with us," he said. "They should share it with the remaining, the other, members of the security council.  This has not happened."

The leader of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group said the accusations about chemical weapons were an "attempt to allow foreign intervention" to destroy Syria.

Sheik Hassan Nasrallah also said on Lebanese television Tuesday that rebels could not defeat the government militarily, and that those he calls Syria's "real friends" will not let Mr. Assad's government fall.

The Syrian National Coalition criticized his statements, saying he was repeating "threats and lies" from the Syrian government.  The main Syrian opposition group called on the Lebanese government to stop Hezbollah fighters from entering Syria and "pressuring" refugees in Lebanon.

Sources :
http://www.voanews.com/content/us-weighs-shift-in-syrian-opposition-aid/1652220.html

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