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AFP - Getty Images
Fighters with the Free Syria Army are shown at an undisclosed location on Thursday.
Saudi Arabian officials will pay the salaries of the Free Syria Army in order to encourage mass military defections and increase pressure on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad's, the Guardian of London newspaper reported Friday.
The move has been discussed by Riyadh with senior U.S. and Arab world officials, the Guardian said.
The Guardian did not specify sources for its report. However, it said, Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., an active supporter of the Syrian opposition, recently endorsed the idea of ensuring pay for armed Syrian opposition, though not necessarily with U.S funds.
The plan is gaining support as weapons sent recently to rebel forces by Saudi Arabia and Qatar make a difference on battlefields in Syria.
Saudi officials embraced the pay idea when it suggested by Arab officials in May, sources in three Arab states told the Guardian.
At that time, weapons started to flow across the southern Turkish border to Free Syria Army leaders, the Guardian said.
PhotoBlog: Glimpses of escalating conflict in Syria
Turkey also allowed the establishment of an Istanbul command center staffed by 22 people, mostly Syrian, to coordinate supply lines in consultation with rebel army leaders inside Syria, the newspaper reported.
News of the pay plan emerged as international mediator Kofi Annan said Friday that Iran, an ally and neighbor of Syria, must be part of any solution to end the crisis in Syria and pave the way for a political transition.
The United States and Russia are in a standoff over Syria and Iran's nuclear program.
Syria air force colonel flies to Jordan, gets political asylum
Annan wants the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and governments with influence on Syria's government or the opposition to agree on recommendations for next steps at a meeting that has been penciled in for June 30 in Geneva.
Former National Security Adviser for President Carter, Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, joins Morning Joe to discuss the latest in Egypt, the G20 summit in Mexico, China's relationship with Russia and the impact it could have on the U.S. and Syria.
Iran's involvement is opposed by the United States, Britain and France, but Annan said it should be at the table.
"We are discussing the composition and other aspects of the meeting, but I have made it quite clear that I believe Iran should be part of the solution," Annan told a news conference in Geneva.
In response to Annan's remarks, the U.S. State Department repeated its opposition to Iran taking part, saying Tehran was playing a "destructive" role in Syria.
This article includes reporting by Reuters.
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Yesterday a very nice picture of US negotiators in Gulf Times. None other than DoD/Leon Panetta,FBI/Robert Mueller,WH/CI John Brennan,Dep.Dir.CIA Mike Morrell and former CIA Dir. George Tenet. On behalf of Obama to offer condolences on Saudi King Abdullah on the death of his half-brother Nayef. What will the Saudis get for their financing the salaries of Syria rebels? while Obama/Cameron and Putin have offered clemency on Bashar al-Assad and singing the Russian tune on the way to Geneva Peace conference in Switzerland. June 30 is a new date since iranians (will be at the table)have commemorative dates in July.
This is more or less a tactic by the Saudi's to piss off Iran, and I hope it works.
Piss off Iran? perhaps, but it's REALLY going to piss off Syria. It's arguably an act of war.
Oh, it's certainly an act of war. But if you turn the military against the government, and they turn all at once, it could be a bloodless coup. I'm glad it's the Saudis stepping up on this. At least they can't accuse us of interfering.
The Americans accuse Tehran of destructive interference? LOL. there was NO civil war until the US-backed gangbangers were smuggled into Syria by the Turks and Saudis. US Senators now call for the violent overthrow of Syria. American hypocrites don't even know what words mean.
DOU44- Typical rhetoric by someone who probably doesn't even believe the very words they are spewing out. I guess we wouldn't know what words mean sometimes because talk is cheap.
I'm sure America is helping the Saudis. Didn't we know that Obama would be on the side of the rebels? That has been his stance in every country whether they were rebeling against dictator or king. Obama wants radical Islamic people to take over every country.
This is how World War III starts.
It seems to me people like Lieberman are near certifiable. After all, we funded the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan and that morphed into the Afghanistan we cannot win in. The Saudis supported Al Qaeda, at least as far as can be determined, up and to the 9/11 attacks ( in fact, they may even have had some role in them ) - it has just conveniently never been properly investigated. The mess in Mali now is a direct result of our actions in Libya. If they think this is not going to turn round and bite us in some way - then they are disregarding history. The precedent is also dangerous and illegal in the extreme - what about China funding the Narco/civil war in Mexico which has cost ~ 50 000 lives to date ( just to give us trouble )?
I remember Saddam Hussein paying the relatives of Palestinian suicide bombers that killed Israelis, it is an act of war when a foreign power incites and acts in behalf of a fighting side against a specific country.
I was unsure about DOU, but after seeing him use words like gangbangers, mercenaries, bloodthirsty, hypocrites, murderous, and other hideous propaganda, it wont be long before he starts saying "imperialists" and "fascists".
He's RT trash, which I've found impossible to have reasonable discussion with. They've developed a culture that centers around radical skepticism. Thank goodness a large portion of people that come across such people have spent time around the skeptic community and have acquainted themselves with logical fallacies and know how to avoid being suckered in.
Hello folks, the Saudis by supporting the rebels are hastening their turn in the middle eastern grab!
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
Martin Niemöller
Syria is one hell of a place to be right now and I don't mean in a good way. Seems the Sunni Muslims have a partner in Saudi Arabia that will overthrow the present government and allow some of the minority parties that appear to be comprised of mostly socialist and communist to gain control. Can we say they brought it on themselves? Just a bad situation. Have pity on the people of Syria.
Hey, U.S.A. ----- Let Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc. contribute men, material, funding and even geographic "safe" areas (Turkey) for the rebels. The U.S. should STAY COMPLETELY OUT of the picture. This is a Middle East problem, to be worked out by those in that neighborhood ONLY. NO benefit can arise from us becoming involved to even the slightest degree. The same holds true should Egypt become enveloped in internal strife as well. Stay out of the picture, President Obama. STAY OUT !
Some country in the Middle East may now pay the salaries of terrorists to attack Saudi Arabia.
This action by Saudi Arabia is essentially a declaration of war against Syria. This move could have catastrophic implications for the entire region if Syria's ally Iran sees this move by the Saudis in this light. It could result in open warfare between Iran and Saudi Arabia should Iran decide to come to the aid of their ally against the Saudis. It was one thing for the Saudis to covertly provide arms and assistance to the rebels, it is an entirely different story to say openly that they are going to start funding the rebel army. What is even worse is with Turkey getting involved, if Syria or Iran attacks Turkey, it could drag the rest of NATO into the mess under Article 5 of the NATO treaty. With Russia supporting the Assad regime, these actions by Saudi Arabia and particularly Turkey could cause thing to rapidly spiral out of control with this turning into an all out proxy war between the west (i.e. NATO) and the Russians.
The Turkish jet which was shot down might be the start of a broader conflict in the area. Major conflicts seem to always start with a "minor" incident.
The article also states that Senior U.S. officials have been briefed on the Saudis paying the "rebels" salaries. If this information is going to be put out to the public, then they should include some "NAMES" and not just un-named, un-disclosed, senior U.S. officals.
Further, the State Department is adamant about Iran not getting involved. Now that is really going to work well by "putting it on the table for discussion" at the "penciled in Geneva meeting" since Iran has really responded well to their nuclear ambitions. A heck of a lot of other countries are providing support for/against the Syrian regime, so this conglomeration of support for both sides has only one resolution.......
Amazing that these bits of information are being released to the press.
I am very happy to hear that the Saudis are helping in their cause. Nobody should slaughter their own people. I hope the rebels take control. As much as I hate Islam, I am happy to hear that these people can fight back better and sleep easier.
But they will never put their own boots on the ground as someone always has to fight their wars.........
Assad should run alright. If He has any sense at all, He'll run like hell.
7to7 - Someone else cleans their toilets, too. They can afford it.
Sherbud....."I hope the rebels take control."
The current regime needs to be replaced but needs replacement by other than bullets.
If the "rebels" do "take control", is Syria going to become another Egypt ? The situation is Egypt is going to get down right ugly AGAIN.
Yep, this Syrian rebel commander has passed the litmus test as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood with their agenda. Notice: the reference to "Allah" and the "martyr" tactics.
American hypocrites see the world as a flat piece of paper with the US at the center.
Oh no no no! DOU you're wrong! Google Middle East butt crack. That's how we see it.
You know , When I was telling you about a conspiracy that the Saudis and Qataris are bringing their Alqaeda rebels into Syria , Every body was going crazy , Now the US and the Saudis admitting to it . So I would ask you all , Do you really think Assad killing his own people , The Saudis are paying Our Media and other Media's in the World to Fabricate Videos Just like they did To Saddam , Just want to remind you all , THEY DID THAT TO US YOU MORAN'S , THEY ARE THE ONES THAT FINANCED ALQEADA AND BIN LADIN AND STILL DOING IT , HELLO HELLO ANY BODY THERE . OUR OWN SENATORS KNOW THAT , WHAT HAPPENED TO THE INVESTIGATIONS PEOPLE . NOW THEY ARE KILLING THE CHRISTIANS IN SYRIA , JUST LIKE THEY DID IN IRAQ , WHERE ARE YOU !!!! CHRISTIANS CONSERVATIVES PREACHERS , YOU GO TO PROTECT THE JEWS , HOW ABOUT YOUR BROTHERS ,,, THE CHRISTIANS . THEY ARE ONLY 4 MILLIONS OF THEM IN SYRIA , THEY ARE BEING MURDERED BY THESE SAUDIS THUGS AND THEIR CHURCH'S GETTING DESTROYED , OH NO ASSAD DOING IT , ASSAD ALLOW THEM TO PRACTICE THEIR RELIGION UNLIKE OUR BUDDIES IN THE GULF , JUST ASK PRES. BUSH SR.
KooKoo, take you meds before you have an anurism.........
My turn,, (and it is).
You need to calm down at least long enough to use spell check.
And more.
My Turn is correct. NYT, RT have reported US involvement and US trained gangbangers being behind the bombings. Those guys in the MSNBC photo above are no more fighters than they are astronauts. Improper weapon handling, clean clothes, well-groomed like suburbanites- one even has a white ball cap on. Ridiculous US propaganda photo.
Absolutely right!!!
DOU Holy shlt!... I had to go back and look........Tide commercial, everything is so clean LMBO
Shades of the Cold War. This fight in Syria is rapidly shaping up into a proxy war between the US and Russia. Throw in the Iranian Shi'ite vs. Saudi Sunni hatred along with Turkey's fear and loathing of a Kurdish state, and we will have gotten ourselves into another fine mess.
Somebody call 911 and send them to My Turn's house....quick!
LOL
My turn is right. The Saudis and Obama are backing the rebels so radical Islamic elements can kill the Christians and take over Syria as they've done in all the other countries
Roadhouse Blues That's what's wrong with us now !!! people like you , I might not spell right and I MIGHT RATTLE ALONG . But at least I am not dumb enough to buy these people in the media and these politicians BS . We saw what happened in Iraq , You want to tell the Families of our Fallen Heroes something . I remember when our government called the Taliban's and Osama Bin Ladin , Freedom Fighters , We trained these killers , And now if we listen to our Honorable Senator McCain ,Lieberman , Hillary and more fine politicians , We will fund and arm and Train these Freedom Fighters in Syria , They already giving us samples about what they are going to do , Check on Syria's Christians and see what Happening to them , Ya I need my medicine , so i can listen to some of you dumb comments , And thanks to google and the Internet , Some of you did not even know where Syria or Alaska were , ( Till Sarah Palin told you ) .
Good for the Saudis.
They have every modern weapon known to man except the bomb (and they may have that).
They can't even wipe their own asses much less fight in combat.
They might as well use their biggest ASSET, money.
Can anyone imagine any scenario that doesn't end in Assad and his lovely but horrible wife dying brutally in the next few months unless he makes a quick deal and escapes soon?
The Mussolini's act 2.
That is what is going to happen. Assad should take as much of his wealth as he can and leave the country.
Dear mr. Saudi King, can you please send first of all, food and mobile hospitals and medicine to the people? This will be a better step than paying a salary to diying people, particulary women and children.
Then, if you please, can you organize a panel of Islamic countries to do their humanitarian job in effectively protecting the syrian citizens from Assad's army?
And while you're at it, Mr. Saudi King, how about sending hospitals and food and shelter and heating/cooking fuel to all the babies conceived by Muslim rapists in the Sudan? I understand that the culture says that the children conceived by Muslims are Muslim, correct? (Unless the mother is a Jew, and then they're Jews).
How about the Families of our fallen Heroes in 9/11 and all the families of our loved ones we lost in Iraq and Afghanistan , You all forgot 19 hijackers were Saudis , And the Saudis were and still Finance Alqaeda , But that does not matter , They have OIL and MONEY , Right Mr. McCain , Hillary , Lieberman and all of you fine politicians .
Fifteen million Syrians are Sunnis. The rest are Alawite whose homes are filled with expensive furniture and plasma TVs. It would be a nightmare if Sunni mobs swarmed like locusts trimming the fat of an Alawite minority.
You forgot to mention Christians who are with Alawites.
The money that the Saudis, will use came from the $300 billion/year that Americans pay to import energy, this payment takes money away from the money would otherwise be invested in the U.S. and the rest of the world.
Sooner or later, and not soon enough, we will realize that protecting Saudis Oil, protects the American Economy that then justifies the huge military expenditure. If you don't like this dependency on Foreign Oil (including Canada), or don't like the idea that Global Economy is controlled by foreign investment, then do you think that Saudis are going depend on American Politics to solve their problems? Asia is a bigger customer than the U.S.
It is ironic that the Saudis are being so overt with Syria, or in sending a message to the Rusians, a message that the Americans cannot understand. Maybe "America for America" is good slogan against Global Economics.
Will American Corporations Invest in America? The Sooner the Better?
In the book, Charlie Wilson's War, Wilson claims the Saudi's paid dollar for dollar with the USA for the war against the Soviets in Afghansitan in the early 1980's and that worked out great right?
LOL
Our side won that war. After it was over, the U.S. walked away and lost the peace.
Did we really won this war? Or were the Soviets smart enough to get away and leave us to pay with out money and out blood? If only we could have fewer of those "wins"
"Saudis will pay salaries of rebel Syria army"
The same Saudi Arabia that is harboring Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, former Tunisian President who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in absentia for murder and inciting violence and who has an outstanding Interpol arrest warrant, charging him for money laundering and drug trafficking.
Does NOT make sense. The Saudis protect one dictator and fight against another.
They're good at that. They protected Idi Amin for 23 years.
At least some body knows how lucky this world is to be able to have a country like the USA, fighting for the civil liberties all over. As much as the Saudis are historically recognized as being conservative, they are still a bunch of great Moslem(the good ones). If all of the rest of them will be like them then this world will be a peaceful place to dwell.
So, you are saying that there are good dictatorships and bad ones. May I ask, what's the criteria? Do you just prefer sunis to shias?
Well, this ought to get Ahmamutjob and all of the mullets' panties knotted up.
So at least now we can stop with the malarkey about the "Syrian Rebels" being selfless patriots: they are mercenaries, in the pay of the single most evil regime in the region, already the paymasters of Wahabi terrorist preachers across the Islamic world, to say nothing of godfathers to Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Can we back away from our preconcieved notions of good guys & bad guys, our knee jerk embrace of the idiotic idea that everyone Netanyahu & Co dislike must be destroyed, long enough to avoid plunging the Middle East into another pointless bloodbath?The Saudis have already effectively annexed Bahrain in order to PREVENT democracy. The idea that the Saudi regime supports democracy ANYWHERE is preposterous.
Syria is a dictatorship, a police state, but it is a secular non-sectarian one where the rights of minorities are respected. Anyone who understands the Middle East recognizes that as flawed and reactionary as Iran's ayatollahs are, they are light years ahead of the Saudis. At least Iranian women have careers, and drivers licenses!
The rights of Syrian minorities may be protected, but the rights of the majority are not. Just ask the 10,000+ Sunnis(74% of the population) that have been killed.
Yeah, or try to ask the 900,000+ Iraqis killed by the Americans and their mercenaries during OP Iraqi Freedom over the 8 years of occupation and foreign military subjugation. Some protection of rights there huh Catzenjammer?
DOU- Unless you prove those numbers with some facts you're just pulling it out of that stretched out bung hole of yours.
Glad to see the Saudis are actually go to pay for something considering how much money we've given them.
You buy their oil. They buy your Boeing jet liners and ridiculous expensive weapons they never use.
They never have to use them because besides being ridiculously expensive, they are ridiculously awesome. What weapons did they buy? :)
Well, if that is the case, they should not be called "rebels" anymore. They are Saudi's mercenaries.
Obama needs another war to put us even further in debt. I wonder why Israel isn't screaming bloody murder since they are getting surrounded by governments that want to massacre them. It would seem that the newspapers would be full of how bad this is? Just strange to me.
I bet you were all for Iraq....
This is how the U.N. Security Council plays the game of chess...to get checkmate a lot of people will die first!
Are you talking about Israel?
Iran may be an ally of Syria but it is not a "neighbor" as Turkey or Iraq are between them.
Mercenaries! Mercenaries paid by the puppet government of the oil monopolies!
Down with the US imperialist war against Syria!
That "puppet" government IS one of the oil monopolies, one of the biggest, one of the oldest, and one of the richest. You forgot to add Capitalists Running Dogs to your little tirade there.
Drop Senator McCain on Syria, he wants in on the fight. He knows how to be taken prisoner & make money from the Arabs. Oh, & drop Dick Cheney as well (he heard there are WMDs hidden somewhere & he's gota try out that new ticker).
Silly Uncle. Cheney IS/was our WMD. With a proven track record.
Be careful Royal Saudi Family - you provide $$$ & weapons to the "rebels" & they'll bite the hand that feeds them; just like Osama bin Laden did to the U.S. in the Afghanistan War with the Soviets.
Calm down people, it's just a war. By now you all should be use to all these wars in the middleeast. It's their favorite past time. Wish you the best on taking that evil dude out of leadership.
deb- The US has been involved in more wars in foreign lands than all any other gov'ts since 1945. It is Americans who have bloodlust and megalomania. Just read the posts.
Spoken like a true pathetic excuse of a pawn.