White House "aware" McCain met with Syrian rebels before trip

Updated 5:07 p.m. ET

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who sneaked into Syria from Turkey Monday to meet with Syrian rebel leaders, told the White House about his planned meetings, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday.

"We were aware, of course, that Senator McCain was going to make this trip," Carney told reporters.

When asked if the White House asked McCain to relay a message to the rebel leaders, Carney deferred all questions to McCain's office.

"We look forward to speaking with Senator McCain upon his return to learn more about the trip," Carney said, adding, "We tend to refer members of Congress... to take questions about their visits abroad."

• McCain sneaks across Turkey-Syria border, meets with rebels
• Prospect of a foreign-fueled Syrian arms race grows

McCain, who's been vocally opposed to the Obama administration's reaction to the increasingly violent civil war in Syria, supports U.S. military action to benefit the Free Syrian Army against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. 

On Twitter Tuesday, McCain praised the rebels writing, "Important visit with brave fighters in #Syria who are risking their lives for freedom and need our help."

The senator met with rebels' general Salem Idris and other rebel commanders in three meetings near and immediately across the Syrian border while he was on a trip to Turkey.

Later Monday, McCain's Senate ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., cracked that he was calling "dibs" on McCain's office if "he doesn't make it back," and tweeted "best wishes" today to his peer GOP senator.

During his hour-long trip inside the country, two personal security guards tailed McCain who entered Syria at Bab Salameh.

His trip occurred hours before the European Union ceased its arms embargo for the country's rebel army.