AP sources: US says Syrian elite want out

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration says it is seeing signs that the Syrian elite, including people close to President Bashar Assad, are increasingly worried and beginning to prepare exit plans.

The State Department says it has information the elite are looking for help from the opposition Syrian National Council in getting cash and relatives out of the country. Also Friday, the department released declassified satellite imagery depicting what analysts said was heavy weaponry deployed for use against civilians.

Two U.S. officials said Friday that one Assad family member has moved large amounts of money out of the country and that a senior member of Assad's national security circle has very recently left the country and appears to have settled abroad. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss classified intelligence.

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