Sen. John McCain (R) traveled to war-torn Syria today to meet with rebel leaders, a spokesman for the Arizona senator confirmed to The Hill.
McCain’s visit makes him the highest-ranking U.S. official to enter the country since its civil war began two years ago.
According to the Daily Beast, which first reported the visit, McCain met with Gen. Salem Idris, the leader of the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army, and spent a few hours in the country after entering through Turkey.
McCain, a leading critic of the Obama administration’s policy towards Syria, has been calling for the U.S. to provide lethal aid to opposition forces seeking the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The administration has resisted calls from lawmakers to arm the rebels over fears those weapons could fall into the hands of Islamist or anti-U.S. elements. Many Syrian rebel groups have been linked to al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
Last week, however, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a bill to arm the Syrian opposition, a bipartisan rebuke to the White House.
Supporters of the measure say it is necessary to help end a conflict which has already claimed 80,000 lives, according to some estimates.
The White House, though, has continued to focus on a diplomatic solution to ease Assad from power.
Read more: THE HILL
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Obama and Assad must go!
Not a smart move on McCains part. You can not trust weapons in the hands of these unknown “resistance” fighters. Who knows if they don’t turn around & use them against Israel, Turkey or Lebenon. Best to stay out of a civil war which you nothing about.
No doubt John McCain is making yet another brilliant assessment of the situation in Syria, as he did when he appointed Sarah Palin as his running mate in 2008. McCain is very adept at proving that he should retire from public life.
Another RINO who needs very desperately to retire.
Because these resistance fighters are soooooooooo sincere and gentle. Mamish Chasidei Umos Ha’olam. They wouldn’t hurt a fly (or maybe they will just once in a while eat someones heart, but only if they are very hungry)