UK to recognise Syria opposition

24 February 2012 Last updated at 12:18 ET

William Hague: "This will go down in history as a criminal regime - the Assad regime"

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The UK is to officially recognise the Syrian National Council as a "legitimate representative" of the country, William Hague has announced.

The foreign secretary said the UK was to "intensify" links with the council - Syria's largest opposition group.

He spoke just before he met opposition leaders at the international Friends of Syria conference in Tunisa.

His comments came as the council suggested rebel fighters could be supported with weapons.

The Syrian National Council said countries should be allowed to supply it with arms if Damascus refused to bow to outside pressure.

Fresh sanctions

Activists say more than 7,000 people have died in the 11-month uprising - more than 90 on Thursday alone - and concern is growing over the humanitarian situation, particularly in the besieged city of Homs.

Mr Hague called on the international community to "tighten the diplomatic and economic stranglehold" on President Bashar Assad's government.

He added: "The United Kingdom will continue our work to help document the crimes that are taking place so that one day those responsible for them will have to answer for their actions."

Mr Hague will continue to meet and engage with representatives from other Syrian opposition groups but it is believed the status bestowed on the Syrian National Council will give it more responsibility to help end the situation in the troubled country.

Around 70 nations, including the US, UK, France and Turkey, are attending the conference, organised by the Arab League.

They are expected to challenge President Bashar al-Assad to provide humanitarian access within days, with the threat of fresh sanctions if he does not comply.

Syrian state TV said the conference was a meeting of "symbols of colonialism" and described those attending as "historic enemies of the Arabs".

25 Feb, 2012

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Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-17157497
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