Syria's deputy foreign minister has criticized a US program to train moderate rebel fighters which has begun in Jordan, saying it only fuels terrorism and will further complicate efforts to reach a political solution.
The remarks by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad were published Saturday in his weekly column for the Lebanon-based Al-Binaa newspaper.
US officials say the program is part of a broader effort to build a force capable of fighting Islamic State extremists – not President Bashar Assad's forces. Officials said Thursday the training started in Jordan and will be expanded to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.