Hagel says U.S. considering arming rebels

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday that the U.S. was rethinking its opposition to arming Syria’s rebels, the first on-record acknowledgement by a senior Obama administration official that the president was considering that course. 

"So you are rethinking — the administration is rethinking its opposition to arming the rebels?" asked CNN’s Barbara Starr, in a Pentagon press conference with Hagel and British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond. 

"Yes," Hagel said, while stating repeatedly that the U.S. was rethinking all of its options.

The administration has revealed its deliberations over whether to arm Syria’s rebels cautiously. Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey has said publicly for months he did not see a "good" military option in Syria, including arming rebels whose ranks include anti-Western terrorists. But he has also said that if the identity of some rebels can be verified he would support arming them.

"We have a responsibility, and I think Gen. Dempsey would say the same thing, to continue to evaluate options," Hagel said. "That doesn’t mean that the president has decided on anything."

Hammond stressed the decision also depends on establishing international legal authority to act on evidence of chemical weapons use.

Hagel would not reveal if he favors arming the rebels and said he has not come to a conclusion on the question.

"We are exploring all options," he said.