Illness forces Clinton to delay trip to Morocco

[December 10, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A stomach virus is forcing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to delay an overseas trip that will focus on providing more support for the Syrian opposition.

The State Department said Sunday that Clinton's illness has forced her to move her flight to Morocco from Monday to Tuesday.

The Obama administration is expected to recognize the opposition's new leadership council as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Clinton is likely to announce that step at a meeting Wednesday of the Friends of Syria group.

Clinton also plans to meet with Moroccan King Mohammed VI for talks expected to focus on the rise of al-Qaida-linked extremists in northern Mali.

Her schedule also includes stops in Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

[Associated Press; By MATTHEW LEE]

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