The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says Mr Panetta's remark is the first time a senior American official has publicly taken this position.

BBC: Panetta backs Syria rebels arms plan

Mr Khadr's trial will shine further light on both the camp and Mr Obama's failure to close it, the BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Washington.

BBC: Youngest Guantanamo inmate, Canadian Omar Khadr, tried

Kim Ghattas: I've flown to Seoul ahead of Hillary Clinton to get a sense of what South Korea is expecting from the new US administration.

BBC: Obama diary: Days 31-40

Trust may not be enough between the US and Russia, said top State Department official Ellen Tauscher in an interview with BBC state department correspondent Kim Ghattas.

BBC: Obama: Start nuclear treaty vital for national security

With no appetite for direct military intervention, many US officials increasingly feel that arming the rebels is now the least worst option, the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington reports.

BBC: US rethinks arming Syria rebels, says Chuck Hagel

The meeting in Washington was a show of solidarity between the US, Japan and South Korea in the face of China's reluctance to lean on North Korea, the BBC's state department correspondent Kim Ghattas reports.

BBC: US renews demand on North Korea to change behaviour

Kim Ghattas : He speaks Polish, he's been ambassador to South Korea, helped negotiate an end to the Balkans conflict and shuttled from Washington to Pyong Yang for three years, working on a denuclearisation deal with North Korea.

BBC: Obama diary: Days 61-70

Hezbollah fighters have been in Syria for some time now but their numbers appear to have grown rapidly over the last few weeks because of the intense fighting for control over the key town of Qusair, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington.

BBC: Hezbollah fighters 'invading' Syria - rebel chief

While the Saudi minister did not detail his vision of a quick solution in public, it is likely that options were discussed behind closed doors in the meeting between Mrs Clinton and King Abdullah, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with the top US diplomat.

BBC: Saudi FM al-Faisal doubts Iran sanctions plans