TODAY’S MESOP SYRIA INSIGHT

A delegation from the Syrian National Coalition is meeting with U.S. policymakers appealing for Special Forces advisors and advanced arms. However, it is unclear if U.S. President Barack Obama will approve increasing weapons deliveries to rebel groups. With the lack of progress in peace talks in Geneva, the White House is reconsidering its options on Syria. Although, White House spokesman Jay Carney suggested that Obama remains wary of any direct U.S. involvement in the Syrian conflict. Meanwhile, the governor of Homs, Tala Barazi, said that a new group of civilians has been evacuated from besieged areas of the city after a humanitarian operation was suspended on Sunday. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that a U.N. resolution on humanitarian aid access in Syria could be agreed in days “If nobody in the Security Council seeks to politicize this issue.” Russia criticized a Western-Arab draft resolution and proposed its own text, which has been merged into the document. However, diplomats said the Security Council is still negotiating on several points including a threat of sanctions and cross-border aid access. www.mesop.de