An aerial view shows the Zaatari refugee camp, near the Jordanian city of Mafraq July 18, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

BUFFER ZONE

More than 1.7 million Syrian refugees have fled to nearby countries to escape fighting that began as protests against the government in March 2011 and has degenerated into civil war with an increasingly sectarian dimension.

A UN official described the Zaatari camp as a small city with 3,000 shops chiefly along its "Champs Elysees" main street, scores of restaurants and food vendors, a taxi service, schools, soccer fields and hospitals within its 12 districts.

It has also been the scene of riots but Kilian Kleinschmidt, the UN official who administers the camp, said it has begun to emerge from the "dark period" of violence, as its traumatised residents have begun to reconcile themselves to a lengthy stay.

Kerry did not enter the part of the camp where the refugees reside, keeping to the administrative area where humanitarian officials work and live. The six refugees were brought to meet Kerry within the administrative zone.

During the meeting, Kerry told the refugees that many young Americans had died or lost their limbs "fighting for the freedom" of Iraq and Afghanistan.

After the request for buffer and no-fly zones, Kerry said: "A lot of different options are under consideration. I wish it was very simple. As you know, we've been fighting two wars for 12 years. We are trying to help in various ways, including helping Syrian opposition fighters have weapons.

"We are doing new things. There is consideration of buffer zones and other things but it is not as simple as it sounds."

In June, the White House announced plans to provide direct military support to the Syrian rebels.

"We are doing everything we can to help Syrians be able to fight for Syria," Kerry said. Noting US aid to the camp, he added: "You are not abandoned."

Kerry noted US concerns about the help being given to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah. He also lamented divisions among the opposition.

Speaking after she met Kerry, a second Syrian woman seemed unimpressed, telling reporters: "We are not satisfied with the American answer. We never were. We just need ... action."

Jordan has been host to big UN camps for Palestinian refugees for more than six decades.

The administrator at Zaatari, Kleinschmidt, was asked by reporters how long his camp would remain open for Syrians. He replied: "Three days. Thirty years. Who knows?"