Obama May Allow Air Defense Help For Syria Rebels - AP/HuffPo

[ProSense]

5. The White House

As recently as February, the administration had said Obama remained opposed to any shipments of manpads to the Syrian opposition. The U.S. has been concerned that the weaponry could fall into the wrong hands and possibly be used to shoot down a commercial airliner.

..."position had not changed."

Obama, Saudi king discuss Syrian rebels, Iran, Gulf security

By Jeff Mason

<...>

One area where Riyadh has long differed from Washington is in Obama's reluctance to supply rebels with surface-to-air missiles, sometimes known as MANPADS.

The Washington Post reported on Friday that the U.S. was ready to increase covert aid to Syrian rebels under a new plan which included training efforts by the CIA, and was considering supplying MANPADS.

The White House has not closed the door to the possibility of such a move in the future, but an official said its position had not changed.

Obama has shown himself wary of being drawn into another conflict in the Muslim world after working hard to end or reduce American military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/uk-obama-saudi-idUKBREA2R15X20140328

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024743736