Arab League recognizes new anti-Syrian bloc

The Arab League has welcomed the formation of a new anti-Damascus opposition bloc, and recognized the so-called Syrian National Council (SNC) as the representative of the Syrian people.

On Sunday, Syrian oppositionists agreed to unify the multiple military councils in command of the foreign-backed insurgents inside Syria under pressure from the United States and two of its regional allies: Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

After a meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo late on Monday, with the presence of UN-Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, Arab League foreign ministers issued a statement saying that the SNC is legitimate and urged more opposition groups to join the bloc.

“The Arab League ministerial council welcomes the agreement that the Syrian opposition parties reached … and calls on the other opposition parties to join this coalition,” said Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim, reading the meeting’s final resolution.

The ministers “urged regional and international organizations to recognize it as a legitimate representative for the aspirations of the Syrian people,” and called it “a legitimate representative and a primary negotiator with the Arab League.”

On Sunday, the Syria-based opposition groups said the opinions expressed by the opposition abroad did not represent the will of the Syrian people.

“We do not acknowledge overseas Syrian opposition groups. Those who want best for us should come to the country and start dialogue with everyone,” said a Syrian activist, commenting on the issue.

“Those outside do not represent me. Those who want to represent me as a Syrian should be living in Syria. And they should know our problems,” said another activist.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country. It accuses Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, and the United States of backing the deadly insurgency that has claimed the lives of many Syrians, including security and army personnel.