Global coalition to fund rebels in Syria

An international coalition said yesterday it will provide funding and communications equipment to Syrian rebels and opposition activists, reflecting a shift towards military options that might oust Syrian president Bashar al-Assad after a year of failed diplomacy aimed at stopping his crackdown on dissent.

Participants at a meeting on Syria, held in Istanbul, said Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are creating a multimillion-dollar fund to pay members of the rebel Free Syrian Army and soldiers who defect from the regime and join opposition ranks. A delegate described the fund as a “pot of gold” to undermine Assad’s army.

Secretary of state Hillary Clinton said the US is providing communications equipment to help opposition members in Syria organise, remain in contact with the outside world and evade attacks.