Syrian opposition group pleads for recognition

The leader of the new opposition coalition has urged European states to recognise the group as the legitimate government, enabling it to buy the weapons it needs to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad.

Britain and France appeared to set further conditions, notably that the coalition first rally support inside the country, before they grant full recognition to the Syrian National Coalition. They are also wary about anti-Western Islamist elements among the rebels.

So far, concerted action on Syria has been thwarted by divisions within the opposition and by big power rivalries and a regional divide between Sunni Muslim foes of Mr Assad and his Shia allies in Iran and Lebanon.