A U.S. Senate committee has voted in favor of sending weapons to rebels fighting Syria's government.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 15-3 on May 21 for legislation that would send arms to "vetted" moderate members of the Syrian opposition.
The measure will now be considered by the full Senate, where calls are growing for President Barack Obama to do more to help the rebels.
Obama has so far backed humanitarian aid, but is wary of sending arms to the rebels amid fears weapons could end up with Islamist militants.
In Syria, Lebanese Hizballah fighters and Syrian soldiers, backed by air strikes, renewed an offensive aimed at driving rebels from a town near the Lebanese border, raising fears about the conflict spreading in the region.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 15-3 on May 21 for legislation that would send arms to "vetted" moderate members of the Syrian opposition.
The measure will now be considered by the full Senate, where calls are growing for President Barack Obama to do more to help the rebels.
Obama has so far backed humanitarian aid, but is wary of sending arms to the rebels amid fears weapons could end up with Islamist militants.
In Syria, Lebanese Hizballah fighters and Syrian soldiers, backed by air strikes, renewed an offensive aimed at driving rebels from a town near the Lebanese border, raising fears about the conflict spreading in the region.