TUNIS, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Western and other countries
are turning a blind eye to weapons purchases by Syrian exiles
who are already smuggling light arms, communications equipment
and night vision goggles to rebels inside Syria, a Syrian
opposition source said on Friday.
Syrian opposition supporters were also trying to find ways
to bring anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons to the Free Syrian
Army, which is composed mainly of Syrian soldiers who have
defected and volunteer civilians, the source said.
Contacts were also ongoing to find ways to get retired
Syrian officers into the country to act as advisers in an effort
to coordinate rebels fighting in a near year-long uprising
against Bashar al-Asad's rule.
"We are bringing in defensive and offensive weapons... It is
coming from everywhere, including Western countries and it is
not difficult to get anything through the borders," the source
told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"There is not a decision by any country to arm the rebels
but countries are allowing Syrians to buy weapons and send them
into the country."
(Reporting by Lin Noueihed and John Irish)
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