Syrian Opposition Says West Is Already Aiding Rebels

The rebels have issued desperate calls for weapons to enable them to take on the heavy armour of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
Western powers have begun providing military support to the Syrian rebel army, a major opposition grouping claimed today, as world leaders gathered in Tunis to discuss how to end Assad rule in the country.

Bassma Kodmani, a senior figure on the executive of the Syrian National Council, said countries she refused to name were already supplying equipment including military communications technology, body armour and night-vision goggles to the Free Syrian Army.

She was more reluctant to discuss the provision of light arms such as rifles, but she hinted that other allies were beginning to send in lethal weapons.

The rebels have issued desperate calls for weapons to enable them to take on the heavy armour of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

“Defensive and light equipment are what they are doing on the ground,” she said. “It has begun.”

Her claims were immediately denied by western officials. A senior diplomat said that provision of military supplies had not begun nor was even being discussed between them. “There are lots of people saying that the Qataris and Saudis are talking about it, but I’m not even aware of that.”