Obama Authorizes Release of $10 Million in Non-Lethal Aid to Syrian Rebels
President Barack Obama authorized the release of as much as $10 million in additional aid to rebels trying to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The president, in a directive to the secretaries of state and defense, said today the U.S. would draw on the inventories of government agencies to provide “non-lethal commodities and services,” as well as food and medical supplies.
“The humanitarian crisis has gotten worse” in Syria, Obama told reporters at the White House before starting a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The president said he and Ban share the view that the conflict there is “at a critical juncture.”
Secretary of State John Kerry met yesterday in London with leaders of the Syrian opposition, who are seeking military aid. The U.S. has provided more than $115 million in non-lethal assistance so far.
“The president has directed his national security team to identify additional measures to continue increasing non-lethal assistance,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said at a briefing earlier today.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2013-04-11/obama-clears-10-million-in-aid-for-syrian-opposition.html
