"The sectarian aspect, the divisions and the animosity are getting worse," said an Obama administration official in Washington, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The sectarian aspect of the conflict, which remains, at base, a disgruntled people's struggle against a dictatorial regime, is growing ever more entrenched, and exacerbating sectarian tensions in neighbouring Lebanon and Iraq.This all adds to President Barack Obama's unease at the prospect of sending military aid to rebels.
Any hopes that Kofi Annan's peace initiative might succeed have been blown out of the water by the apparent arrival of an extremist group, or groups, intent on escalating the sectarian aspect of the conflict, which neither the regime nor the opposition can hope to control.
The situation in Bahrain has seen at least a part of the Sunni-controlled army defect to the uprising, which could prove extremely important because of the sectarian aspect of the rebellion there, with a Sunni monarch and a largely Shiite population.
"It should be enough for people to realise the sectarian aspect of the singing has to stop," said Smith.
The conflict acquired a marked sectarian aspect in 2006-7 when Shia militant groups struck back with a campaign of kidnappings and killings.
It is said that the sectarian aspect got highlighted during their reign.
Assad says his father was unjustly held responsible as a result of the "sectarian aspect" of the tragedy.
In a country in which one's religion often determined one's politics, the party's strongest constituencies are still in the Roman Catholic districts, although the sectarian Christian aspect is of only incidental emphasis, chiefly among older voters.
"Anyone who knows Rangers knows that we have tried exceptionally hard to try and eradicate the sectarian singing aspect of the support.
