William Hague: UK recognises and will support Syrian rebel group in fight against Assad

 

Britain is to offer support to a coalition of Syrian rebels after recognising it as the “sole legitimate representative” of the Syrian people, Foreign Secretary William Hague announced today.

The decision to recognise the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces - bringing together opponents of President Bashar Assad's discredited regime - follows a meeting between Mr Hague and the alliance's leaders on Friday.

In a statement to the Commons today, Mr Hague said the group's assurances had been "encouraging".

"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 said.

"On the basis of the assurances I received and my consultation with European partners yesterday, Her Majesty's Government has decided to recognise the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people."

Mr Hague said the coalition had promised to leave the door open to other opposition groups which wanted to join them, to appeal to Syrians from all communities and to be a "moderate political force committed to democracy" that would not repeat President Assad's abuses.

The Foreign Secretary told MPs the Government would press them to uphold their commitments while also offering them practical support.

The coalition will be invited to have a political representative in the UK, and there will be assistance for the opposition in setting up political and humanitarian structures, he said.

A £1 million package of communications support will be provided, possibly including mobile internet hubs and satellite phones.

A "stabilisation response team" will be sent to the region to help the coalition meet basic needs in areas held by opposition forces.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening was also looking at increasing British assistance to Syrians affected by the conflict, he said.

The opposition alliance was formed from Syria's disparate opposition groups at a meeting in Doha earlier this month.

Mr Hague condemned the "barbaric violence" of the Assad regime against its own people, 30,000 of whom have been killed so far and 400,000 who are now refugees in neighbouring countries.

A political transition was urgently needed and the establishment of the coalition was a "major breakthrough".

"A credible alternative to the Assad regime is emerging that has the growing support of the Arab League, the European Union, the United States and an increasing number of other countries; and we have an agreed basis for a transition in the form of the Geneva Communique which all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council signed up to in June," he said.

"But in the absence of that 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."

Mr Hague refused to rule out of the prospect of Britain arming the rebels directly, although at present he said there had been no decision to change policy.

"We rule out no options. It is the job of the National Security Council to look at all options, particularly as this crisis worsens," he said.

"It is foolish to rule out options when we don't know how those situations will proceed."

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Top stories
News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
       
Independent
Travel Shop
Imperial Cities of Morocco
Seven nights half-board from only £799pp Find out more
Historic Sicily
Seven nights half-board from £799pp Find out more
4* all-inclusive Crete
Seven nights from only £399pp Find out more
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

Day In a Page

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats