International Coalition Pledges Millions in Aid to Syrian Rebels

An international coalition gathered in Istanbul to address the situation in Syria will offer millions of dollars in aid and communications equipment to help overthrow Bashar al-Assad.

An international coalition gathered in Istanbul to address the situation in Syria has decided today that it will begin funding rebels and providing them with communications equipment. The multi-million-dollar fund, backed by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countires, will pay members of the Free Syrian Army in their efforts to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. They also hope to lure away defectors from his army with the money.

At a stump speech at the 70-nation Friends of Syria summit, Hillary Clinton warned of "serious consequences" if al-Assad does not adhere to Kofi Annan's cease-fire plan, MSNBC reports:  "Nearly a week has gone by, and we have to conclude that the regime is adding to its long list of broken promises," she said. Clinton also pledged another $12 million to the cause, bringing the total amount of U.S. aid spent on the Syrian rebellion to $25 million.

Annan's plan, which al-Assad agreed to last week, calls for a cease-fire, humanitarian aid for  Syrian citizens, and a democratic political referendum. There have been daily reports of violence since.