'Obama to meet Syria opposition leader'

President Barack Obama is expected to meet Syrian opposition leader Ahmad Jarba during his visit to the United States this week, a senior US official told AFP Tuesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said "we expect that the president will meet" Jarba during his visit. He did not give further details on the likely timing of the meeting, with Obama scheduled to travel outside Washington to Arkansas and California between Wednesday and Friday. Jarba's office last week said he would head to the United States for an eight-day visit from May 7, seeking sophisticated weapons for rebels battling the ruling regime. Jarba, the head of the Syrian opposition in exile, is also due to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, congressmen, senators and the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties, his office said. Source: AFP