This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21612130

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Syria conflict: John Kerry set to up US aid to rebels Syria conflict: John Kerry increases US aid to rebels
(35 minutes later)
New US Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting Syrian opposition leaders in Rome, as the US prepares to increase its support for rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.  
He is attending a gathering of the Friends of Syria group of nations that support the Syrian opposition. The US is to step up its support for the Syrian opposition as it fights to topple President Bashar al-Assad, Secretary of State John Kerry says.
Mr Kerry is expected to announce increased "non-lethal" aid for the rebels but not weapons. Mr Kerry said the US would provide "direct support" in the form of medical and food supplies to rebel forces.
He also promised an additional $60m (£40m) in aid to the opposition to help it deliver basic governance and other services in rebel-controlled areas.
Mr Kerry was speaking at a gathering of the Friends of Syria group in Rome.
'Out of time'
The promise of direct, non-lethal aid to the rebels represents a shift in US policy on Syria, correspondents say.
Mr Kerry said the decision was designed to increase the pressure on President Assad to step down and allow a democratic transition.
"President Assad is out time and must be out of power, "Mr Kerry said, adding that the Syrian leader could not "shoot his way out" of the situation.
The $60m in aid to the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) is intended to help it deliver governance and basic services in rebel-controlled areas, Mr Kerry said.
"As the regime continues to lose ground it will help the opposition extend stability and build representative government and the rule of law," he added.
The UN estimates 70,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict since 2011.The UN estimates 70,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict since 2011.
Mr Kerry says the US wants to "accelerate the political transition" in Syria. Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Friends of Syria were determined to "ramp up" assistance to the opposition.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Friends of Syria were determined to "ramp up" assistance to the opposition.
"We are entering a new phase in the response of western and Arab nations to the crisis in Syria," he said."We are entering a new phase in the response of western and Arab nations to the crisis in Syria," he said.
Mr Hague said the UK would be sending equipment that would "save lives", the details of which would be announced next week.Mr Hague said the UK would be sending equipment that would "save lives", the details of which would be announced next week.
Specific promises
The main opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) had threatened to boycott the meeting in Rome in frustration at the "the world's silence" at the violence.The main opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) had threatened to boycott the meeting in Rome in frustration at the "the world's silence" at the violence.
But it agreed to attend after the US and UK indicated there would be specific promises of aid.But it agreed to attend after the US and UK indicated there would be specific promises of aid.
The increased US support is expected to involve food and medical supplies for rebel-controlled areas.
It could also include training, armoured vehicles and night-vision equipment, the New York Times reported, citing senior US officials.
The Obama administration has so far made it clear that it will not supply weapons to the Syrian rebels.
But arms are clearly what the Syrian opposition want and they are becoming ever more frustrated at the level of help they are getting, BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says.
According to UN estimates, more that 70,000 people have been killed in Syria since the revolt against President Assad began nearly two years ago.According to UN estimates, more that 70,000 people have been killed in Syria since the revolt against President Assad began nearly two years ago.
Opposition fighters have been constantly outgunned as President Assad's forces deploy tanks, aircraft and missiles against them.Opposition fighters have been constantly outgunned as President Assad's forces deploy tanks, aircraft and missiles against them.
The US Secretary of State, who succeeded Hillary Clinton, is on an 11-day tour of Europe and the Middle East.The US Secretary of State, who succeeded Hillary Clinton, is on an 11-day tour of Europe and the Middle East.
Speaking in Paris on Wednesday, he said he wanted to hear from the Syrian opposition how best to end the bloodshed.
``We want their advice on how we can accelerate the prospects of a political solution because that is what we believe is the best path to peace, the best way to protect the interests of the Syrian people, the best way to end the killing,'' he said.
Russia 'crucial'Russia 'crucial'
Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande is in Moscow to discuss Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin.Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande is in Moscow to discuss Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia is a key ally of President Assad, supplying him with weapons and blocking resolutions against him at the UN.Russia is a key ally of President Assad, supplying him with weapons and blocking resolutions against him at the UN.
But it also been encouraging the Syrian government to hold direct talks with the opposition and has offered to host negotiations in Moscow.But it also been encouraging the Syrian government to hold direct talks with the opposition and has offered to host negotiations in Moscow.
Speaking before the meeting, President Hollande said Mr Putin had a crucial role to play in efforts to find a political solution to the conflict.Speaking before the meeting, President Hollande said Mr Putin had a crucial role to play in efforts to find a political solution to the conflict.
"We must finally start the process political dialogue that has not yet begun in Syria," Mr Hollande told Ekho Moskvy radio."We must finally start the process political dialogue that has not yet begun in Syria," Mr Hollande told Ekho Moskvy radio.
"A lot will depend on President Putin's stance.""A lot will depend on President Putin's stance."
Western powers say President Assad must step down as part of any political solution, as do the opposition, but Russia does not agree.Western powers say President Assad must step down as part of any political solution, as do the opposition, but Russia does not agree.
In contrast to the slow pace of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, the fighting on the ground has continued to escalate, with grave humanitarian consequences.In contrast to the slow pace of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, the fighting on the ground has continued to escalate, with grave humanitarian consequences.
'Tragedy''Tragedy'
On Wednesday UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said more than 40,000 Syrians were fleeing the country each week, and the total number of registered refugees was approaching one million.On Wednesday UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said more than 40,000 Syrians were fleeing the country each week, and the total number of registered refugees was approaching one million.
"The refugee numbers are staggering, but they cannot convey the full extent of the tragedy."The refugee numbers are staggering, but they cannot convey the full extent of the tragedy.
"Three-quarters of the refugees are women and children; many of them have lost family members; most of them have lost everything," he told the Security Council."Three-quarters of the refugees are women and children; many of them have lost family members; most of them have lost everything," he told the Security Council.
In some of the latest fighting, activists say government jets bombed rebels who were attacking a police academy outside Aleppo, Syria's second city.In some of the latest fighting, activists say government jets bombed rebels who were attacking a police academy outside Aleppo, Syria's second city.
"The rebels are still trying to storm the school, but they can't because the regime is carrying out airstrikes and bombarding rebel forces," said the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group."The rebels are still trying to storm the school, but they can't because the regime is carrying out airstrikes and bombarding rebel forces," said the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group.
Along with the capital Damascus, Aleppo is a key battleground in the conflict and has seen some of the most intense fighting.Along with the capital Damascus, Aleppo is a key battleground in the conflict and has seen some of the most intense fighting.
Opposition groups are particularly enraged by what they say is the government's use of Scud missiles to bombard rebel-held areas of the city, causing mass civilian casualties.Opposition groups are particularly enraged by what they say is the government's use of Scud missiles to bombard rebel-held areas of the city, causing mass civilian casualties.