Kerry in Iraq vows continued US support for Syrian opposition

Kerry in Iraq vows continued US support for Syrian opposition

Associated Press

BAGHDAD

Secretary of State John Kerry says he was sorry to learn that the leader of the Western-backed Syrian opposition coalition has resigned, but that it won’t affect the U.S. effort to try to force Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down.

Mouaz al-Khatib, the leader of the Syrian National Coalition, announced his plans Sunday, citing what he called insufficient international support.

Kerry, who made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday, says the U.S. will continue to work with opposition leadership on the delivery of aid. Kerry told reporters that such a transition in such an opposition group inevitable and that Khatib’s departure doesn’t change U.S. policy. Kerry said the fight is about, quote, “an opposition that is bigger than one person and that opposition will continue.”