US resumes nonlethal aid to Syrian opposition

GENEVA — U.S. officials say the United States has restarted deliveries of nonlethal aid to the Syrian opposition a month after al-Qaida-linked militants seized warehouses and prompted a sudden cutoff of Western supplies to the rebels.

Officials say equipment such as communications gear and laptops are being funneled for now to non-armed opposition groups.

They say the decision was made after goods seized in December by Islamic militants were returned to the Free Syrian Army's Supreme Military Council.

They say security has been improved to ensure future deliveries reach only intended targets. Officials demanded anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The move could be viewed as a U.S. reward to the Syrian opposition for its participation in ongoing peace talks with President Bashar Assad's government in Geneva.