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                    US Weighs Shift in Syrian Opposition Aid

   by VOA News

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

References

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