UK recognizes Syrian opposition

(Vatican Radio) British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said the UK has decided to recognise the Syrian opposition coalition. He told lawmakers that the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was the "sole legitimate representative" of the Syrian people. He said they were now a "credible" alternative to the Assad government.

A spokesman for the coalition, Walid al-Bunni, told Reuters the UK's move was "very important" and would "encourage more Syrians to join the coalition and trust it and it will also encourage other European states to recognise it".

Up to 30,000 people have been killed in the 18-month conflict, according to British estimates.

Listen to the report from correspondent Nathan Morley: