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Syrian Opposition Group Seeks Backing in London Syrian Opposition Group Seeks Backing in London
(1 day later)
LONDON — A Western-led push to strengthen backing for Syria’s rebels gained momentum on Friday as leaders of a new umbrella group, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, met here with officials from Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Turkey, Qatar and other Arab states.LONDON — A Western-led push to strengthen backing for Syria’s rebels gained momentum on Friday as leaders of a new umbrella group, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, met here with officials from Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Turkey, Qatar and other Arab states.
Officials said the meetings explored a range of options for increasing pressure on the government of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, including easing the European arms embargo, which the rebels say has left them and civilians exposed to Mr. Assad’s heavy weaponry and airstrikes.Officials said the meetings explored a range of options for increasing pressure on the government of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, including easing the European arms embargo, which the rebels say has left them and civilians exposed to Mr. Assad’s heavy weaponry and airstrikes.
The meetings were the first foray outside the Middle East by the leaders of the new coalition, which was formed last weekend in Doha, Qatar, in an effort to unite rival rebel factions.The meetings were the first foray outside the Middle East by the leaders of the new coalition, which was formed last weekend in Doha, Qatar, in an effort to unite rival rebel factions.
The group’s president, Sheik Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, and two vice presidents, Riad Seif and Suhair al-Atassi, met with Foreign Secretary William Hague of Britain, and then with the other officials.The group’s president, Sheik Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, and two vice presidents, Riad Seif and Suhair al-Atassi, met with Foreign Secretary William Hague of Britain, and then with the other officials.
Easing the arms embargo remains the most contentious issue. Britain and the United States fear worsening a conflict that has already cost roughly 40,000 lives, or seeing weapons flow into the hands of Islamic extremists who have taken up the rebels’ cause. They are also loath to deepen tensions with Russia and China, which have blocked efforts to unify the United Nations Security Council behind stronger measures.Easing the arms embargo remains the most contentious issue. Britain and the United States fear worsening a conflict that has already cost roughly 40,000 lives, or seeing weapons flow into the hands of Islamic extremists who have taken up the rebels’ cause. They are also loath to deepen tensions with Russia and China, which have blocked efforts to unify the United Nations Security Council behind stronger measures.
Mr. Khatib and his deputies are traveling to France on Saturday to meet with President François Hollande, who has fully embraced the new coalition. Further discussions are scheduled for Monday at a meeting of European foreign ministers.Mr. Khatib and his deputies are traveling to France on Saturday to meet with President François Hollande, who has fully embraced the new coalition. Further discussions are scheduled for Monday at a meeting of European foreign ministers.
France has already indicated that it favors easing the arms embargo to allow “defensive weapons” to be sent to the rebels.France has already indicated that it favors easing the arms embargo to allow “defensive weapons” to be sent to the rebels.
Britain’s inclination to bolster the rebels stiffened after Prime Minister David Cameron visited a refugee center on Jordan’s border last week and saw the conditions being endured by tens of thousands of Syrians. “Frankly, what we’ve done so far is not working,” he said.Britain’s inclination to bolster the rebels stiffened after Prime Minister David Cameron visited a refugee center on Jordan’s border last week and saw the conditions being endured by tens of thousands of Syrians. “Frankly, what we’ve done so far is not working,” he said.
On Thursday, Mr. Cameron led a meeting at which Britain’s National Security Council reviewed military options, including establishing of a no-fly zone that would be enforced by Western combat aircraft; providing the rebels with guns; encouraging countries in the region, including Turkey, to provide weapons; and deploying small detachments of troops to assist in humanitarian efforts at camps outside Syria, according to British officials. On Thursday, Mr. Cameron led a meeting at which Britain’s National Security Council reviewed military options, including establishing of a no-fly zone that would be enforced by Western combat aircraft; providing the rebels with anti-aircraft guns; encouraging countries in the region, including Turkey, to provide weapons; and deploying small detachments of troops to assist in humanitarian efforts at camps outside Syria, according to British officials.
Mr. Hague told reporters on Friday that Britain would continue for now to supply only nonlethal assistance. But he said, “We cannot stand still; we cannot just say we will leave things as they are in Syria, because it is a gravely deteriorating situation.”Mr. Hague told reporters on Friday that Britain would continue for now to supply only nonlethal assistance. But he said, “We cannot stand still; we cannot just say we will leave things as they are in Syria, because it is a gravely deteriorating situation.”
Britain sought to impress on Mr. Khatib and his deputies that Western support would be contingent on the rebels’ reining in human rights abuses by some rebel factions chronicled by aid organizations and Western reporters. But officials said Britain was likely to follow in France’s footsteps next week and formally recognize the coalition.Britain sought to impress on Mr. Khatib and his deputies that Western support would be contingent on the rebels’ reining in human rights abuses by some rebel factions chronicled by aid organizations and Western reporters. But officials said Britain was likely to follow in France’s footsteps next week and formally recognize the coalition.
As the meetings took place in London, Reuters reported that a Syrian general and a dozen other officers were among 53 Syrians who defected to Turkey on Friday after heavy fighting on Turkey’s southeastern border with Syria.As the meetings took place in London, Reuters reported that a Syrian general and a dozen other officers were among 53 Syrians who defected to Turkey on Friday after heavy fighting on Turkey’s southeastern border with Syria.