via Obama re-election signals new phase in Syria war – Yahoo! News.
ZAATARI, Jordan (AP) — Western efforts to
oust Syrian President Bashar Assad shifted dramatically Wednesday, with
Britain announcing it will deal directly with rebel military leaders and
Turkey saying NATO members have discussed using Patriot missiles to
protect a safe zone inside Syria.
The developments came within hours of
Barack Obama’s re-election, with U.S. allies anticipating a new, bolder
approach from the American president to end the deadlocked civil war
that has killed more than 36,000 people since an uprising against Assad
began in March 2011.
British Prime Minister David Cameron,
visiting a camp Wednesday for Syrian refugees in Jordan, said the U.S.,
Britain and other allies should do more to “shape the opposition” into a
coherent force and open channels of communication directly with rebel
military commanders.
Previously, Britain and the U.S. have
acknowledged contacts only with exile groups and political opposition
figures — some connected to rebel forces — inside Syria.
“There is an opportunity for Britain, for
America, for Saudi Arabia, Jordan and like-minded allies to come
together and try to help shape the opposition, outside Syria and inside
Syria,” Cameron said. “And try to help them achieve their goal, which is
our goal of a Syria without Assad.”
