Obama Seeks $500 Million From Congress To Aid Moderate Syrian Rebels

Under pressure from lawmakers for more U.S. backing for Syria's opposition, President Obama
on Thursday asked Congress to approve $500 million to equip and train moderate Syrian rebels seeking to remove President Bashar Assad, Reuters reported.

In an effort to assuage concerns that certain equipment given to the Syrian opposition might
end up falling into the hands of U.S. enemies, rebels would be vetted before receiving
assistance, a White House statement said, according to the new agency.

Obama has been under pressure from some lawmakers to give more assistance to Assad's
moderate opposition in the nation's civil war.