Published May 04, 2016
Syria's deputy foreign minister has criticized a U.S. program to train moderate rebel fighters which has begun in Jordan, saying it only fuels terrorism and will further complicate efforts to reach a political solution.
The remarks by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad were published Saturday in his weekly column for the Lebanon-based Al-Binaa newspaper.
U.S. officials say the program is part of a broader effort to build a force capable of fighting Islamic State extremists — not President Bashar Assad's forces. Officials said Thursday the training started in Jordan and will be expanded to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Mekdad said Washington is better off giving a hand to those fighting terrorism, instead of cooperating with what he said were terrorists. His government refers to all armed opposition as "terrorists."
https://www.foxnews.com/world/syrian-foreign-ministry-official-criticizes-us-training-of-rebels-saying-it-fuels-terrorism