U.S. Secretary of State in Turkey for Syria talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - New U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Turkey for talks expected to focus on the conflict in Syria, according to BBC News.

The two NATO allies both oppose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but differ on how best to support the opposition.

On Thursday, Feb 28, Kerry promised direct aid to Syrian rebels in the form of food and medical supplies, but not the weapons they say they need to win.

Turkey has taken in more than 200,000 Syrian refugees and has been hit by deadly cross-border shelling. The fighting and flow of refugees has caused high tension along Turkey's 900km (560 mile) border with Syria.

The U.S. and other NATO allies have deployed Patriot missile interceptors to repel any possible attack by missiles or aircraft from Syria.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been outspoken in his support for Syrian rebels and has advocated the creation of a buffer zone inside northern Syria to protect people fleeing the fighting.

On Thursday in Rome, Kerry promised an additional $60m in aid to the opposition Syrian National Coalition to help it deliver basic governance and other services in rebel-controlled areas. He also promised direct support in the form of food and medical supplies to rebel forces, in what correspondents say was a shift in U.S. policy on Syria.