Lew: No Arms To Syrian People Fighting Assad Regime The U.S. and its allies are "bringing pressure to bear" on Syria's government, but will not provide weapons to Syrian rebels trying to get rid of the government of despotic leader Bashar Assad, President Obama's chief of staff said Sunday. "The last thing that is needed in Syria now is more violence," Jacob Lew told "Fox News Sunday." Instead, Lew said the U.S. is working with the Arab League and other partners to bring "serious financial pressure" on Syria. He said Assad's government is "feeling it." The transition from tyranny to democracy is very hard. the Syrian people have to handle this in a way that works in Syria. There is no question that this regime will come to an end. The only question is when," he added.