‘Friends of Syria’ meeting: US, allies to increase support to Syrian rebels

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at a meeting in Amman, Wednesday, May 22, 2013, on Syria.

The United States and its European and Arab allies on Wednesday said they would increase support to rebels until the formation of a transitional government in Syria.

In a communique issued by “Friends of Syria” meeting, the foreign ministers of the United States, several Arab and European states said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his regime members and all those involved in the bloodshed in Syria cannot play a role in Syria’s future.

The foreign ministers of 11 countries condemned the presence of foreign fighters in Syria and their involvement in the conflict, calling for the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from Syria.

Acting head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition George Sabra sits in on a meeting of the London 11 in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, May 22, 2013, on Syria. <AP Photo/Jim Young, Pool>

In the communique, they called for talks toward the formation of a transitional government in Syria and underlined the need for a timeframe for this purpose which ensures that the new transitional government has control over the presidency, armed forces, security bodies and intelligence apparatus in Syria.

The foreign ministers condemned the use of heavy weaponry against the Syrian people and reiterated support for the Syrian National Coalition.

They also voiced concerns over increasing reports which indicate that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons, adding that they will empower the UN to conduct a comprehensive investigation in this regard. “If this is proved to be true, the consequences will be grand,” said the communique. <Xinhua/Newsis>

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry join others members for a group photo in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, May 22, 2013. The U.S. and several key allies looked again Wednesday for a strategy to end Syria's civil war, their united efforts unable at the moment to stem the Assad regime's military gains and Washington still unwilling to join those providing the rebels with lethal military aid.