US 'evaluating' next steps in Syria conflict

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the United States is exploring ways to end Syria's increasingly bloody conflict as the White House defended its refusal to arm rebels there. The decision not to arm rebels was apparently a divisive one in President Barack Obama's first term, with several top officials urging more strident action to tip the military balance on the ground against the Damascus regime. Kerry, speaking at his first press conference since taking over as the top US diplomat, steered clear of saying whether the United States would reconsider arming the rebels now, as the bloody conflict rages through its 22nd month. Some 60,000 people have died since demonstrators first took to the streets almost two years ago to protest President Bashar al-Assad, as the conflict has escalated into a civil war that has displaced some three million people. WASHINGTON (AFP) - (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the United States is exploring ways to end Syria's increasingly bloody conflict as the White House defended its refusal to arm rebels there. The decision not to arm rebels was apparently a divisive one in President Barack Obama's first term, with several top officials urging more strident action to tip the military balance on the ground against the Damascus regime. Kerry, speaking at his first press conference since taking over as the top US diplomat, steered clear of saying whether the United States would reconsider arming the rebels now, as the bloody conflict rages through its 22nd month. Some 60,000 people have died since demonstrators first took to the streets almost two years ago to protest President Bashar al-Assad, as the conflict has escalated into a civil war that has displaced some three million people.