Syria opposition wants ban on government air power, ballistic missiles

Beirut: The main Western-backed Syrian opposition group is calling for a ban on the use ballistic missiles and air power by President Bashar Assad’s forces in addition to the prohibition on chemical weapons. [caption id=“attachment_1110483” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Free Syria Army. AP image[/caption]

The Syrian National Coalition’s statement on Sunday comes a day after Russia and the United States reached an agreement to secure and destroy Syria’s chemical stockpile, averting for now potential U.S. military strikes against Syria. The Coalition also repeated its calls for military aid in order to tip the balance of power on the ground and “force the regime to end its military campaign and accept a political solution” that leads to a democratic Syria. The U.S. and its allies have balked at sending weapons to the rebels, fearful the arms could land in the hands of extremists. AP