US not considering arming opposition

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The White House said Tuesday that the U.S. is not considering arming opposition groups in Syria, deflecting calls from some lawmakers to explore such a possibility as one way to quell the violence in Syria.

However, U.S. officials said no option would be completely ruled out as the Obama administration grapples for a way to end the bloodshed and facilitate a political transition.

“We are not considering that step right now,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said of the prospect of arming the rebels.

Carney said current deliberations inside the administration are focused on how the U.S. could provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, though he wouldn’t say what form such assistance might take.

At the State Department, spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that though the U.S. never takes any option off the table, “we don’t think more arms into Syria is the answer.”

Earlier Tuesday, some congressional lawmakers, including Arizona’s Republican Sen. John McCain, called for the U.S. to explore the prospect of arming opposition forces in Syria.

“We should start considering options, arming the opposition,” McCain said.