Obama recognises Syria opposition coalition
In Damascus, the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports on the battle for an increasingly divided city
The
US has formally recognised Syria's opposition rebel coalition as the
"legitimate representative" of the Syrian people, says President Obama.
Speaking to ABC News in the US, Mr Obama said the coalition was now "inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough".He described the move, which follows the UK and France, as "a big step".
Activists say some 40,000 people have died in more than 18 months of battle against President Bashar al-Assad.
Mr Obama said the emerging coalition had earned the right to represent the Syrian people, but issued a note of caution as well.
"Obviously, with that recognition comes responsibilities," Mr Obama said.
"To make sure that they organise themselves effectively, that they are representative of all the parties, [and] that they commit themselves to a political transition that respects women's rights and minority rights."
Recognition does not mean the US will begin arming rebel groups, but officials told ABC that might be approved if it was thought to help achieve a political solution in Syria.
Mr Obama warned that the US would not support extremist elements within the opposition coalition.
"Not everybody who's participating on the ground in fighting Assad are people who we are comfortable with," he said.
"There are some who, I think, have adopted an extremist agenda, an anti-US agenda, and we are going to make clear to distinguish between those elements."
One group he mentioned - Jabhat al-Nusrah - is believed to be responsible for nearly 600 violent attacks in major Syrian cities in the past year, the state department estimates.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton designated the group a foreign terrorist organisation, freezing any assets its members may have in US jurisdictions.
The Syrian conflict is the bloodiest and most bitterly fought of the Middle East and north African revolts that have become known as the Arab Spring.
The uprisings began two years ago with a revolt in Tunisia, and saw long-serving leaders in Egypt and Libya toppled from power.
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