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The newly elected leader of the Syrian opposition, cleric Sheikh Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, said President Barack Obama's comments Wednesday about the war-torn country represent a much-appreciated "good step initially," CNN reported.

During a news conference, Obama said he was encouraged to see the Syrian opposition organizing under an umbrella group and considers them a "legitimate representative of the aspirations of the Syrian people." However, the president also said he isn't prepared to recognize the group as "some sort of government in exile," and he won't give weaponry directly to the rebels, because of concerns about "extremist elements" who might do harm to Americans or Israelis.

Al-Khatib, a popular Sunni cleric known for his moderate views, was elected head of Syria's new opposition group this weekend in Doha, Qatar. He told CNN's Hala Gorani he saw Obama's re-election as a potential boon for his cause.

"I think (he's) a good man for his nation. He will understand the pain of other nations, and we are full of pain now. We expect from U.S. more of support," al-Khatib said. "People in Syria, they have nothing more to lose."

As Syrian government warplanes operated uncomfortably close to Turkey's border again Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed up American support for the opposition by adding to Washington's humanitarian aid.

Government jets pounded Ras al-Ain, a town near Turkey's border, for yet another day, shaking residents on the other side and triggering demands from Ankara that the Syrian military "stop this as soon as possible."

Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz told journalists Wednesday that the country would "respond to Syrian planes or helicopters that violate our borders."

"Our citizens, especially the residents of the (border) regions, should stay calm. Our armed forces are on duty full-time and the troops on the ground have been authorized to intervene immediately when necessary," the minister said.

Attacks on Ras al-Ain earlier in the week sent Syrians fleeing for the border. A total of 5,000 crossed into Turkey Monday and Tuesday, according to a Turkish government official, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak with the media.

Government warplanes also bombarded Damascus and flashpoints in the country's north, according to the opposition Local Coordination Committees.

So far Wednesday, fighting has claimed the lives of 100 people, the LCC said.

Clinton, speaking Wednesday from Perth, Australia, announced a $30 million injection of new food assistance for people inside Syria and refugees in neighboring countries, raising the total U.S. aid to $200 million.

France and the United States backed a new coalition of Syrian dissidents Tuesday, but Damascus slammed the group, saying any effort to topple President Bashar al-Assad will be futile.