LONDON — Britain officially recognized the Syrian opposition on Tuesday, increasing the international legitimacy of the newly formed coalition of groups seeking to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Foreign Secretary William Hague told Parliament that the British government had “decided to recognize the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people.”
France, Turkey and several Arab countries recognized the coalition last week. Other Western nations have also expressed support for the opposition coalition but stopped short of full recognition, including a declaration on Monday from the foreign ministers of the European Union that the group represents “the aspirations of the Syrian people.”
Many nations have been cautious about full recognition because of worries about the makeup of the opposition forces in Syria. The opposition has often been divided, and Islamic extremists have taken a larger role in the conflict and gained influence on the ground.
But several extremist groups fighting in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, said in a video posted online Sunday that they rejected the new coalition, which was formed Nov. 11 in Doha, Qatar, to replace an earlier umbrella organization widely regarded as ineffectual.
In London, Mr. Hague said that in talks with diplomats, the opposition coalition had stressed its intention to become a moderate political force committed to democracy, and not to repeat the abuses of the Assad government.
“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,” Mr. Hague said.
The European Union has imposed an embargo on shipments of weapons to any side in Syria, and Mr. Hague did not mention any plan to alter that policy. He said Britain would increase other kinds of aid for the rebels, including communications equipment, and would invite the coalition to appoint a political representative to Britain.
Mr. Hague said that a “credible alternative” to the Assad government was emerging, but that if a political and diplomatic solution was not found, Britain “will not rule out any option in accordance with international law that might save innocent lives in Syria.”
Britain Is Latest Power to Recognize Syrian Opposition Coalition
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