Qatar calls for recognising Syrian opposition

Qatar, which has led efforts to isolate President Bashar Al Assad, told Arab ministers on Saturday it was time to recognise the Syrian opposition as the nation’s legitimate representative. “We advise the opposition, across the spectrum, to rise above their differences and merge into one voice that expresses the aspirations of their people so that they can face the tyranny of the regime,” Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani told an Arab foreign ministers meeting. “Here we call for the recognition of the Syrian National Council as the Syrian people’s legitimate representative,” he said in opening remarks.