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Clinton: Arming Syria rebels could help al-Qaeda

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday warned against the United States arming rebels in Syria because such a move could inadvertently lead to support for al-Qaeda and Hamas.

Senior leaders of both groups — which Washington classify as terrorist organizations — have expressed their support for the loose-knit collection of Syrian rebels who have taken up arms against the regime of embattled President Bashar al-Assad.

US officials, too, have expressed backing for those intent on toppling Assad, and senior lawmakers including Senator John McCain have said it’s time to consider arming the rebel groups.

Clinton poured cold water on such action.

“We really don’t know who it is that would be armed,” the top US diplomat told CBS News during a visit to Morocco, as she noted that al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has expressed support for the Syrian rebels.

“Are we supporting Al-Qaeda in Syria?

Hamas is now supporting the opposition. Are we supporting Hamas in Syria?”

she said.

Clinton said she remains “incredibly sympathetic to the calls that somebody do something” about the crackdown that rights groups say has left more than 7,600 people dead.

“Sometimes, overturning brutal regimes takes time and costs lives. I wish it weren’t so,”

Hillary said.

Clinton said US officials have met some leaders of the Syrian National Council, but they are not inside Syria proper.

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(via sans-nuage)