U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry holds a news conference with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius, at the Foreign Ministry in Paris, Feb. 27, 2013.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday the United States and France want to speed up political transition in Syria.
Speaking in a Paris stopover during a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Kerry said the U.S. is "examining ways to accelerate" a change in the Syrian regime. Ways to do that, Kerry said, will be discussed in a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Rome on Thursday where nations support the opposition will gather.
Kerry said Washington is debating increased aid to the Syrian opposition which he said "needs more help."
His comments come as the United States is reported to be considering expanding its non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition.
U.S. and European officials say the White House is still weighing the new policy, as Kerry continues an overseas tour meeting with leaders in Europe and the Middle East.
The United States has so far provided only communications equipment to rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Officials have opposed sending military aid, fearing weapons could end up in the hands of radical fighters.
European Union foreign ministers agreed last week to extend an arms embargo against Syria, but did open the door to providing more non-lethal support to protect civilians.
The Latest Images from Syria
1/10Demonstrators chant slogans and wave Syrian opposition flags during a protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, Bustan al-Qasr district, Aleppo, Syria, March 1, 2013.
2/10A man sells gas stoves in Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 28, 2013.
3/10A child looks out of a window in Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 28, 2013.
4/10Men ride a scooter past buildings damaged by shelling from Syrian forces, Maarat al-Nuaman, Idlib province, Syria, Feb. 26, 2013.
5/10A citizen journalism image provided by the Aleppo Media Center, AMC, shows people searching the rubble after houses were hit by a missile fired by Syrian government forces in Ard Al-Hamra, Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 26, 2013.
6/10A boy walks past members of an Islamist group as they hold flags during a protest against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Deir el-Zor, Syria, Feb. 25, 2013.
7/10Destruction and debris are seen in Al-Suwayqa, Aleppo after forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad captured the area from the Free Syrian Army, Feb. 25, 2013.
8/10Ammunition that forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad say belonged to the Free Syrian Army is seen in Al-Suwayqa, Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 25, 2013.
9/10Free Syrian Army fighters carry their weapons and deploy after they seized control of the government's 80th Brigade's base near Aleppo International Airport, Feb. 23, 2013.
10/10A view shows military vehicles which belonged to forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad forces at 80th Brigade's base after it was seized, Feb. 23, 2013.
