US appears to consider arming Syrian rebels

The US State Department said last night the best outcome for Syria would be a political solution but if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad refused this “we may have to consider additional measures”.

Asked about the current US position on the issue of aiding the Syrian opposition militarily, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: “We believe that a political solution to this is the best way to go.

“We don’t believe that it makes sense to contribute now to the further militarisation of Syria. What we don’t want to see is the spiral of violence increase. That said, if we can’t get Assad to yield to the pressure that we are all bringing to bear, we may have to consider additional measures.”