Syrian opposition group meets in Tunisia

A coalition of groups opposed to Syria’s embattled President Bashar al-Assad, calling itself the Syrian National Council, is holding its first congress in Tunisia. The umbrella group of Assad opponents chose a symbolic site for its first congress, a three-day, closed-door session that opened Friday at a hotel north of Tunis. Tunisia is credited with triggering the Arab Spring after the fall nearly a year ago of strongman Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. Official estimates say that Syrian security forces have killed more than 5,000 people since protests began in the country began nine months ago. At least 15 new deaths were reported Friday.