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Not time to arm Syrians, Pentagon chief says
Source: Reuters
Not time to arm Syrians, Pentagon chief says
By Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON | Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:27am EDT
(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta defended the Obama administration's decision not to arm the Syrian opposition, saying the country risked being pushed into an all-out civil war if efforts to secure a smooth political transition fail.
"We made a decision not to provide lethal assistance at this point. I know others have made their own decisions," Panetta said in an interview on Thursday.
"But I think it's very important right now that everybody focus on a smooth and responsible political transition," he said.
"If we don't get this done in a responsible way, there's a real danger that the situation there could deteriorate into a terrible civil war."
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By Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON | Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:27am EDT
(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta defended the Obama administration's decision not to arm the Syrian opposition, saying the country risked being pushed into an all-out civil war if efforts to secure a smooth political transition fail.
"We made a decision not to provide lethal assistance at this point. I know others have made their own decisions," Panetta said in an interview on Thursday.
"But I think it's very important right now that everybody focus on a smooth and responsible political transition," he said.
"If we don't get this done in a responsible way, there's a real danger that the situation there could deteriorate into a terrible civil war."
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/22/us-usa-panetta-syria-idUSBRE85L0MD20120622