United States resumes the supply of non-lethal aid to Syrian opposition

The United States has restarted deliveries of non-lethal aid to the Syrian opposition more than a month after al-Qaeda-linked militants seized warehouses and prompted a sudden cut-off of Western supplies to the rebels.

The communications equipment and other items were being funnelled for now only to non-armed opposition groups, US officials said.

But the move nevertheless boosts Syria's beleaguered rebels, who saw their international support slide after Islamic militants seized bases near the Turkish border that had been under the authority of a key US-backed leader.

It could also be seen as a US reward to the opposition for its participation in ongoing peace talks with President Bashar al-Assad's government in Geneva.

The US officials said the aid was being sent through Turkey into Syria, with the co-ordination of the Free Syrian Army's Supreme Military Council.

They stressed that the halt in supplies last month was only a "precautionary measure" until the Obama administration could once again verify the security of aid packages.