US providing $15m to fund for Syrian opposition

By BRADLEY KLAPPER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. is providing $15 million to an international fund to help Syria's opposition govern territory under its control.

The Obama administration says the money will finance reconstruction and provide civilians with water, energy, food and health care.

The administration informed Congress of its intentions Aug. 6. The Associated Press obtained the notification Monday. Germany and the United Arab Emirates have pledged support; the U.S. expects the total fund to surpass $130 million.

The fund is separate from lethal aid Washington has authorized for Syria's rebels and $1 billion in humanitarian aid it has given throughout the two-year conflict. More than 100,000 have died amid fighting between rebels and Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

For its contribution, the administration took the money from law enforcement funds originally allocated for Pakistan.