U.S. Yanks Support for Syrian Opposition Group, Warns of Extremist Takeover of Uprising

ZAGREB, Croatia — The Obama administration on Wednesday renounced the proclaimed leaders of the Syrian political opposition and said any group seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad must reject attempts by extremists to "hijack" a legitimate revolution.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the Syrian National Council, or SNC, should no longer be considered the "visible leader" of the opposition. That made official what has been the increasingly obvious sidelining of an opposition group led mostly by middle-age Syrian expatriates.

"This cannot be an opposition represented by people who have many good attributes but have in many instances not been inside Syria for 20, 30 or 40 years," Clinton said during a five-nation Balkans tour. "There has to be a representation of those who are on the front lines fighting and dying today."

The United States has no direct power to anoint the would-be new leaders of Syria, but U.S. backing will be essential for any hopefuls seeking outside financial, diplomatic or possible military assistance. The United States is supporting new opposition leaders who will attend a strategy session in Qatar next week, Clinton said.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/international/176649081_U_S__Yanks_Support_for_Syrian_Opposition_Group__Warns_of_Extremist_Takeover_of_Uprising__Zagreb__Croatia_.html

So after so much support for the Syrian opposition they're no longer considered worthy of any assistance because of potential radicalism?

Hmm, shades of Afghanistan & Iraq anyone?