* Top U.S. diplomat rejects “proxies, terrorists” coming in
* Now is time to plan for “day after” Assad – Clinton
* Clinton seeks to bring S.Africa on board with Syria plan
By Andrew Quinn
PRETORIA, Aug 7 (Reuters) – Syria must not be allowed to
descend into a sectarian war, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton said on Tuesday, and she warned against “proxies or
terrorist fighters” being sent in to join the conflict.
“We have to set very clear expectations about avoiding
sectarian warfare,” Clinton said, answering a question on Syria
during a news conference in the South African capital Pretoria,
her latest stop in a tour of Africa.
“Those who are attempting to exploit the situation by
sending in proxies or terrorist fighters must realize that will
not be tolerated, first and foremost by the Syrian people,” she
added.
The U.S. secretary of state made the comments as Syrian
government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad encircled
rebels in the country’s biggest city of Aleppo..
She did not elaborate on her reference to “proxies or
terrorist fighters” or name any particular country or group.
Continued…
