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UK: Syrian opposition 'sole legitimate representative' of the people UK: Syrian opposition 'sole legitimate representative' of the people
(35 minutes later)
Britain has recognised the newly united Syrian opposition as the "sole legitimate representative" of the Syrian people and pledged new aid in the uprising against Bashar al-Assad.Britain has recognised the newly united Syrian opposition as the "sole legitimate representative" of the Syrian people and pledged new aid in the uprising against Bashar al-Assad.
William Hague made the announcement in a statement to MPs. It marks a significant shift in British policy and follows a similar move by France last week. It also goes beyond a more cautious endorsement by the EU.William Hague made the announcement in a statement to MPs. It marks a significant shift in British policy and follows a similar move by France last week. It also goes beyond a more cautious endorsement by the EU.
The foreign secretary said he had sought and received "important and encouraging" assurances from the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces on agreeing a detailed political transition plan for Syria, as well as showing a "clear commitment to human rights and international humanitarian law, including the protection of religious communities and unfettered and safe access for humanitarian agencies".The foreign secretary said he had sought and received "important and encouraging" assurances from the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces on agreeing a detailed political transition plan for Syria, as well as showing a "clear commitment to human rights and international humanitarian law, including the protection of religious communities and unfettered and safe access for humanitarian agencies".
The National Coalition "have much to do to win the full support of the Syrian people and coordinate opposition efforts more effectively," Hague said. "But it is strongly in the interests of Syria, of the wider region, and of the United Kingdom that we support them and deny space to extremist groups," he added. The National Coalition "have much to do to win the full support of the Syrian people and co-ordinate opposition efforts more effectively," Hague said. "But it is strongly in the interests of Syria, of the wider region, and of the United Kingdom that we support them and deny space to extremist groups.".
The EU said after talks in Brussels on Monday that it considers the group "legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people". The addition of the word "sole" by the UK is highly significant.The EU said after talks in Brussels on Monday that it considers the group "legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people". The addition of the word "sole" by the UK is highly significant.
The National Coalition, created under western and Arab pressure to overcome bitter internal divisions, was formed in Qatar after talks this month. It hopes to secure wider international recognition and weapons, or at least support for a no-fly zone or humanitarian corridors to protect civilians. The coalition's leader, Moaz al-Khatib, met Hague in London last Friday.The National Coalition, created under western and Arab pressure to overcome bitter internal divisions, was formed in Qatar after talks this month. It hopes to secure wider international recognition and weapons, or at least support for a no-fly zone or humanitarian corridors to protect civilians. The coalition's leader, Moaz al-Khatib, met Hague in London last Friday.
It will be invited to appoint a "political representative" – in effect an ambassador – to the UK. Britain is also to provide a £1m package of communications support, "which could for instance include mobile internet hubs and satellite phones to improve the coalition's ability to communicate inside Syria," Hague said. The National Coalition will be invited to appoint a political representative – in effect an ambassador – to the UK. Britain is also to provide a £1m package of communications support, "which could for instance include mobile internet hubs and satellite phones to improve the coalition's ability to communicate inside Syria," Hague said.
Britain is to "urgently deploy" a stabilisation response team to help the coalition meet people's basic needs in opposition-held areas, he said. The team will recommend areas for further UK assistance. The new package of UK support is worth around £2m in immediate commitments which could be expanded "considerably" in the coming months. Britain is to "urgently deploy" a stabilisation response team to help the coalition meet people's basic needs in opposition-held areas, he said. The team will recommend areas for further UK assistance. The new package of UK support is worth around £2m in immediate commitments which could be expanded considerably in the coming months.
The foreign secretary said nothing about arming the rebels, but added that, in the absence of a political and diplomatic solution, "we will not rule out any option in accordance with international law that might save innocent lives in Syria and prevent the destabilisation of a region that remains critical to the security of the United Kingdom and the peace of the whole world".The foreign secretary said nothing about arming the rebels, but added that, in the absence of a political and diplomatic solution, "we will not rule out any option in accordance with international law that might save innocent lives in Syria and prevent the destabilisation of a region that remains critical to the security of the United Kingdom and the peace of the whole world".