Jarba said the Western countries are now contemplating changes to their approach to the war in Syria.

“It is now time for us to receive advanced weapons,” Jarba said.

He declined to discuss the details of the future arms shipments, and whether they would include shoulder-fired MANPADS, or anti-aircraft weapons.

But he said the advanced weapons on the way would help the armed opposition “get rid of these aircraft” that have been bombarding civilian areas of Aleppo and other cities, killing hundreds in the last six weeks.

Jarba made the comments during an interview with Future Television conducted in Cairo, one day after he made his first visit to Moscow, for talks with senior Russian officials.

Media reports in recent days have indicated that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been advocating a change of course in Syria, which could possibly see a stepping up of deliveries of weaponry to foreign backed militant groups.

U.S. President Barack Obama has so far refused to provide heavy weaponry to the militant groups battling to topple Assad, amid fears it could fall into the hands of extremists which could disturb the security of the region and even hurt the interests of US in Middle East.

NJF/NJF