WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) -- A majority of Americans oppose the United States and its allies arming anti-government groups in Syria, a Pew Research Center poll indicated.
Seventy percent said they oppose sending military aid and arms to rebels fighting against Syrian President Bashar Assad and 20 percent said they favor it, results released Monday indicated.
The Pew survey was released the same day as Gallup reported its poll indicated a majority of Americans don't approve of the Obama administration's decision to provide direct military aid to Syrian rebels.
The Pew survey indicated 60 percent said rebels may be no better than the Assad regime.
Sixty-eight percent said the United States is too overcommitted to become involved in another conflict and 27 percent disagree, results indicated.
By a 53 percent-to-36 percent margin, most said they agree it is important for the United States to support people who oppose authoritarian regimes.
By a closer margin, 49 percent in favor to 46 percent against, Americans are divided over whether the United States has a moral obligation to do what it can to stop the violence in Syria.
Results are based on nationwide phone surveys of 1,512 adults conducted Wednesday through Sunday. The margin of error is 3.7 percentage points.
