Rice: US offer's 'lethal and non-lethal' aid to Syrian opposition

Susan Rice, national security advisor of the US President Barack Obama said on Friday that the US has offered “lethal and non-lethal” aid to the Syrian opposition, CNN reported.

Speaking to the news outlet, Dr Rice said: “The United States has been the single largest contributor of humanitarian assistance, providing over 1.7 billion dollars.”

She explained: “That is why the United States has ramped up its support for the moderate vetted opposition, providing lethal and nonlethal support where we can to support both the civilian opposition and the military opposition.”

CNN recalled President Obama’s speech at West Point last week when he said that he wanted to increase support for the rebels “who offer the best alternative to terrorists and brutal dictators.”

Rice said the US was working with Syria’s neighbours to help alleviate the dire situation of refugees, as well as working to confront an increasing threat that Syria’s becoming a hotbed for terrorists.

“We are working on the counterterrorism challenge because as we have seen there are increasingly emanating from Syria the threat of terrorism to the neighbours and beyond,” she said.

“Our efforts are increasing and why we will remain very much engaged, both in trying to support the Syrian people and trying to support the Syrian opposition,” she continued.