UK drew up plans in 2012 to train, equip 100 K Syrian rebels

The military brass in the United Kingdom is reported to have drawn up plans to train and equip a 100,000-strong Syrian rebel army to defeat that country's President, Bashar al-Assad.

The BBC said this secret initiative was the brainchild of the UK's then most senior military officer, General Sir David Richards, and was proposed in 2012.

Lord Richards, who was then chief of the defence staff, but has since retired from the military, warned Downing Street then that there were only two ways to end the Syrian civil war quickly - to let President Assad win, or to defeat him.

According to the BBC, the proposal was considered by Prime Minister David Cameron and the National Security Council, as well as U.S. officials, but was deemed too risky.

Lord Richards believed his proposal could stem the civilian bloodshed in Syria as rebels fought troops loyal to Assad.

While it was thought to be too radical at the time, U.S. President Barack Obama said last week he was seeking USD 500 million funding to train Syrian rebels.