King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, of Saudi Arabia, has cut his holiday in Morocco and returned to Jeddah on Friday due to “due to the repercussions of the events that are currently taking place in the region,” the state news agency SPA reported.
The United States’ announcement on Thursday that it would provide military support for the Syrian opposition was seen as a major change in the Obama’s administration’s two-year cautious approach to the Syrian crisis.
Senior U.S. officials have refused to elaborate on the kind of military aid Washington plans to off the Syrian opposition forces.
The “military support,” however, is understood to include weapons that Washington has previously refused to provide. It is not clear if these will be heavy or light weapons.
Part of the reticence of top officials is apparently due to the fact that such military aid is classified and may be funneled to selected Syrian rebels forces in a covert mission by the Central Intelligence Agency, the Associated Press reported.
“We do want to be responsive to the requests that have been made by the SMC and General Idris, consistent with our own national interests,” said Rhodes, referring to rebel military leader Selim Idris, according to Associated Press.
Saudi Arabia has consistently called for arming the Syrian opposition. The kingdom has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to convince Western power to take firm stances on Syria following recent advances of the Assad regime forces, backed by Hezbollah and Iranian troops.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/06/15/Saudi-King-cuts-holiday-due-to-developments-in-the-region-.html
