McCain: US must act to help Syrians under siege

[February 09, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. John McCain says the United States should find ways to help the Syrian people under siege from President Bashar Assad, without putting American "boots on the ground."

McCain tells "CBS This Morning" there are several options available, ranging from medical care and technical assistance to safe havens for refugees of the violence.

McCain says Washington "should play a very important role, along with other nations." He says the Syrian government is killing its own people, and it's an international outrage.

The Arizona Republican says he wouldn't send NATO troops into Syria, but says "it's time we acted on behalf of the people who are being slaughtered." McCain, who lost the presidential election to Barack Obama four years ago, is the senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

[Associated Press]

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