Panetta: Direct Intervention in Syria A Serious Mistake

Local Editor

"It would be wrong for the United States to intervene in Syria on its own," US War Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday, according to RIA Novosti.

"Direct intervention by the United States... would be a serious mistake," Panetta told reporters.
"If the international community decides that that's a step that the international community would like to move forward, then obviously we would be part of that. But absent that kind of broad support, I think for the United States to do it would be a mistake," he said.

Panetta said reports that the emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, advocated Arab intervention in Syria don't change his belief that the best approach remains international "diplomatic and economic pressure on al-Assad to step down."
However, he added, if the international community decides military action is required, "then, obviously, we would be part of that."

Panetta noted the United States is working with other nations to help opposition forces and provide aid to Syrian rebels. "US officials also are closely monitoring chemical and biological weapons sites," he added.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org