John McCain makes unscheduled side trip to Syria

PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain, currently on a trip to Turkey, made an unscheduled side trip to Syria on Monday to meet with rebel leaders.

McCain is the highest-ranking U.S. official to enter the country since a bloody civil war tore the country to shreds two years ago.

According to The Daily Beast, McCain met with Gen. Salem Idris for several hours before returning to Turkey.

Inside those meetings, rebel leaders called on the United States to step up its support to the Syrian armed opposition and provide them with heavy weapons, a no-fly zone, and airstrikes on the Syrian regime and the forces of Hezbollah, which is increasing active in Syria.

Idris also criticized the Obama administration’s approach to Syria.