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                US Considers Non-Lethal Aid to Syrian Opposition

   by VOA News

   The United States is reported to be considering expanding its
   non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition.
   U.S. and European officials say the White House is still weighing the
   new policy, as Secretary of State John Kerry continues an overseas tour
   meeting with leaders in Europe and the Middle East.
   The United States has thus far provided only communications equipment
   to rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  Officials have
   opposed sending military aid, fearing weapons could end up in the hands
   of radical fighters.
   European Union foreign ministers agreed last week to extend an arms
   embargo against Syria, but did open the door to providing more
   non-lethal support to protect civilians.
   Secretary Kerry is due to meet with opposition members this week, as
   the Friends of Syria group holds a conference in Rome.
   Leaders from the opposition Syrian National Coalition had planned to
   boycott the talks to protest what they saw as a lack of response from
   the international community, but now say they will attend the meeting
   set for Thursday.
   The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says more than 60
   people were killed in fighting across Syria on Tuesday.
   Opposition groups and Syria state media said the violence included
   fierce clashes between government forces and rebels near a historic
   mosque in Aleppo.
   Syrian army officials said the rebels detonated a bomb near the
   southern wall of the Umayyad Mosque in an attempt to break into the
   complex's courtyard.
   The mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
   Some information for this report was provided by AP.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-considers-non-lethal-aid-to-syrian
   -opposition/1611557.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-considers-non-lethal-aid-to-syrian-opposition/1611557.html