Gulf countries to pay Syrian rebels’ salaries

Saudi Arabia and others looking to create multimillion-dollar fund to fund anti-Assad forces

1 April 2012, 3:25 pm

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A boy examines cars damaged in an attack from Syrian government forces shelling at Sarmeen town in northern Syria. (photo credit: Edlib News Network/AP)

ISTANBUL (AP) — Participants at a conference on Syria say Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are creating a multimillion-dollar fund to pay salaries to members of the rebel Free Syrian Army and soldiers who defect from the regime and join opposition ranks.

The plan is the first formal support, though only financial, for Syria’s badly overmatched rebels, and offers a solution to the international divide over whether to arm the rebels or support them through only non-lethal or humanitarian means.

Conference participants confirmed the plan on condition of anonymity because details were still being worked out. It was unclear how the fund would be set up and monitored.

Delegates from dozens of countries are meeting in Istanbul on Sunday to increase pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad.