Syrian opposition delegation visit Washington 'demanding aid to fight terrorist al-Qaeda and Hizballah'

A delegation from Syrian opposition movements are visiting Washington to persuade the US to aid the Free Syrian Army in the fight against terrorist groups active in Syria, such as Hizballah and al-Qaeda.

The US announced the end of the CIA programme to arm Syrian opposition factions in July 2017, leaving rebels less equipped to tackle both regime-allied forces and militant groups.

"The delegation will meet with officials from the White House and Congress to urge the administration of US President Donald Trump to re-equip the Free Syrian Army with combat equipment," Mustafa Segari, head of the Syria’s Interim Government’s political bureau in the Mu'tasim district, told Reuters from Washington.

"The Free Army is an effective partner for anyone who wants to fight terrorism in Syria and is prepared to fight al-Qaeda...and other terrorist organisations," he said, adding that the cessation of support to the FSA has contributed to bolstering Iran and Hizballah, who he said pose a threat to the US and her allies in the region.

Sergari concluded that the decline of the US role has contributed to the prominence of Russia as a biased mediator in the conflict, presenting their vision for a solution in Syria at the Sochi conference.

Another delegation member told Reuters they told officials US inaction in Syria would only allow Iran and its regional allies to recreate a land corridor linking Tehran, Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut.