The White House said Wednesday it would be increasing support for the Syrian opposition, amid reports it is planning to begin training moderate rebels.
White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters on Air Force One that Washington would be "increasing support for the moderate opposition."
Carney did not give any details of expanded U.S. assistance, ahead of a major foreign policy speech at West Point military academy in which President Barack Obama was expected to touch on the issue.
Officially, U.S. support for Syrian rebels has been limited to non-lethal aid amounting to $287 million, though the CIA reportedly participates in a secret program to train moderate rebels in Jordan.
Opposition leaders are particularly dismayed that the United States has balked at providing anti-aircraft missiles to rebels, fearing they could fall into the wrong hands.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Obama was ready to sign off on training missions for selected rebel groups, to counter the rising power of al-Qaida-linked extremists.
......
