US suspends non-lethal aid to Syria rebels

Just a month before a peace conference that will seek an end to the grinding civil war in Syria,the Obama administrations decision to suspend the delivery of non-lethal aid to the moderate opposition demonstrated again the frustrations of trying to cultivate a viable alternative to President Bashar al-Assad.

The administration acted after warehouses of American-supplied equipment were seized Friday by the Islamic Front,a coalition of Islamist fighters who have broken with the moderate,American-backed opposition,but who also battle al-Qaeda.

Administration officials said the suspension,confirmed Wednesday,was temporary and that the non-lethal aid,which is supplied by the State Department,could flow again.

The official said the US would not rule out talks with the Islamic Front,but that it was too soon.