Battle Lines

Arms Flow Propelling Syria War

As Russian minister accuses U.S. of supplying rebels.

The U.S. backtracked from statements made by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier in the week, saying the helicopters Russia was supplying Syria with may not be new. Russia's foreign minister defended his country's alleged sale of arms to Syria, and also accused the U.S. of supplying weapons to the rebels fighting the government. "We are not violating any international law," said Sergei Lavrov, in response to a question about arms sales to Syria. Clinton said Tuesday that the U.S. has “confronted the Russians about stopping their continued arms shipments." But U.S. officials said the helicopters are likely those that Syria had sent to Russia a few months ago for routine repairs, which were now being returned to the Syrians. Clinton said Wednseday, “Russia says it wants peace and stability restored. It says it has no particular love lost for Assad."