PARIS (AP) -- A French diplomat says officials from the United States and other countries will meet in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday to decide how to respond to requests for help from the Free Syrian Army.

The diplomat says the meeting will involve government ministers from 11 countries in the so-called Friends of Syria group, including Britain, France and Saudi Arabia. He was not authorized to be publicly named while discussing sensitive diplomatic issues.

The officials will respond to requests from Free Syrian Army Gen. Salim Idris, who last week in Ankara, Turkey, outlined urgent needs, including sophisticated arms, the diplomat said.

The U.S. decided last week to send arms to the rebels, and Britain and France have stressed the need to level the playing field for the rebels against Syria's military.