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Obama foresees no US troops in Syria Obama foresees no US troops in Syria
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama says he does not foresee a scenario that would require sending US troops to Syria.US President Barack Obama says he does not foresee a scenario that would require sending US troops to Syria.
He reaffirmed that clear evidence that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons would be a "game changer", but that any response would not be rushed.He reaffirmed that clear evidence that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons would be a "game changer", but that any response would not be rushed.
Earlier Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US was no longer ruling out arming the rebels.Earlier Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US was no longer ruling out arming the rebels.
This comes as dozens of people were reportedly killed by government troops in north-western Syria on Thursday. Meanwhile, US media reports are quoting unnamed US officials as saying Israel has conducted an air strike in Syria.
They say the attack probably happened on Thursday or Friday, but Israeli aircraft did not enter Syrian airspace.
The report say the target was likely to be an arms depot or a weapons shipment en route to Hezbollah in Lebanon. There has been no confirmation from the US or Israeli governments.
Evidence sought
Mr Obama told reporters in Costa Rica on Friday that as a commander-in-chief he could rule nothing out "because circumstances change".Mr Obama told reporters in Costa Rica on Friday that as a commander-in-chief he could rule nothing out "because circumstances change".
But he added he did not foresee a scenario in which "American boots on the ground in Syria" would be good for either America or Syria.But he added he did not foresee a scenario in which "American boots on the ground in Syria" would be good for either America or Syria.
He also said he had already consulted with Middle Eastern leaders and they agreed with him.He also said he had already consulted with Middle Eastern leaders and they agreed with him.
Mr Obama reiterated that there was evidence that chemical weapons had been used in Syria, but that "we don't know when, where or how".Mr Obama reiterated that there was evidence that chemical weapons had been used in Syria, but that "we don't know when, where or how".
He stressed that if strong evidence was found it would be "a game changer for us" because "there is a possibility that it (weapons) lands in the hands of organisations like Hezbollah" in neighbouring Lebanon.He stressed that if strong evidence was found it would be "a game changer for us" because "there is a possibility that it (weapons) lands in the hands of organisations like Hezbollah" in neighbouring Lebanon.
On Thursday, Mr Hagel became the first senior US official to state publicly that Washington was reconsidering its opposition to supplying weapons to rebel forces.On Thursday, Mr Hagel became the first senior US official to state publicly that Washington was reconsidering its opposition to supplying weapons to rebel forces.
"Arming the rebels - that's an option," he told reporters."Arming the rebels - that's an option," he told reporters.
"You look at and rethink all options. It doesn't mean you do or you will. These are options that must be considered with the international community.""You look at and rethink all options. It doesn't mean you do or you will. These are options that must be considered with the international community."
With no appetite for direct military intervention, many US officials increasingly feel that arming the rebels is now the least-worst option, the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says.With no appetite for direct military intervention, many US officials increasingly feel that arming the rebels is now the least-worst option, the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says.
US allies such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are already providing weapons to various groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces.US allies such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are already providing weapons to various groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
The pressure to act has intensified in recent days after emerging evidence that Syria has used chemical weapons such as the nerve gas sarin.The pressure to act has intensified in recent days after emerging evidence that Syria has used chemical weapons such as the nerve gas sarin.
'Pools of blood''Pools of blood'
Details of Thursday's incident in al-Bayda, near the port of Baniyas, were given by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre in Syria. Mr Obama spoke after more than 40 people were reportedly killed by government troops in north-western Syria on Thursday.
They said more than 40 people had been killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre in Syria said the incident occurred in al-Bayda, near the port of Baniyas
An online video appears to show seven bodies in pools of blood.An online video appears to show seven bodies in pools of blood.
State media blamed the incident on "terrorists".State media blamed the incident on "terrorists".
It also reported that "a number of terrorists" had been killed when government forces captured a cache of arms and ammunition in the area.It also reported that "a number of terrorists" had been killed when government forces captured a cache of arms and ammunition in the area.
Al-Bayda is reportedly a predominantly Sunni Muslim village located in an area inhabited largely by members of President Assad's Alawite sect, a heterodox offshoot of Shia Islam.Al-Bayda is reportedly a predominantly Sunni Muslim village located in an area inhabited largely by members of President Assad's Alawite sect, a heterodox offshoot of Shia Islam.
More than 70,000 people have been killed since fighting between government forces and rebels erupted in March 2011.More than 70,000 people have been killed since fighting between government forces and rebels erupted in March 2011.