Highlights:

• Obama met with the leader of Syria's main rebel group on Tuesday.
• Obama welcomed the Coalition's leadership and "constructive approach" to dialogue.
• Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a political solution to the conflict.


WASHINGTON, May 13 -- U.S. President Barack Obama met with the leader of Syria's main rebel group on Tuesday, in a display of U.S. support to the moderate opposition in the war-torn country.

On Tuesday afternoon, Obama joined National Security Advisor Susan Rice's meeting with Syrian Opposition Coalition President Ahmad Jarba and the Coalition delegation, the White House said.

Obama welcomed the Coalition's leadership and "constructive approach" to dialogue, and encouraged the Coalition to further its vision for an inclusive government that represents all of the people of Syria, said a statement issued by the White House.

Obama and Rice underscored that the United States stands with the moderate opposition and the Syrian people in their efforts to end the conflict and facilitate a political transition, said the statement.

Jarba thanked Obama for U.S. non-lethal assistance, which totals 287 million U.S. dollars, and its role as the largest donor of humanitarian assistance with a total aid grant of 1.7 billion dollars, it added.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a political solution to the conflict that includes a transition to a new governing authority, according to the statement.