UK recognises Syrian opposition

Foreign secretary William Hague has announced the UK will formally recognise the Syrian opposition as the country's legitimate government.

"Her majesty's government has decided to recognise the national coalition of Syrian revolution and opposition forces as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people," he told the Commons

The new Syrian National Coalition was formally created in Qatar on the 12th November and the UK has followed the EU in recognising the opposition.

Hague refused say whether the moves would lead to efforts to arm the opposition, saying there was "no change in policy on EU arms embargo, but we rule nothing out".