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UK steps up contacts with Syrian opposition forces UK steps up contacts with Syrian opposition forces
(about 1 hour later)
The UK is stepping up its contacts with Syrian opposition forces, but ministers insist they are not about to recognise them as its legitimate government.The UK is stepping up its contacts with Syrian opposition forces, but ministers insist they are not about to recognise them as its legitimate government.
Foreign Secretary William Hague will meet opposition representatives in London on Monday and has appointed an "ambassador designate" to them.Foreign Secretary William Hague will meet opposition representatives in London on Monday and has appointed an "ambassador designate" to them.
The UK has urged President Bashar Assad to step aside after months of violence.The UK has urged President Bashar Assad to step aside after months of violence.
But Mr Hague said the situation was different from Libya, where the UK recognised opposition forces.But Mr Hague said the situation was different from Libya, where the UK recognised opposition forces.
Monday's meeting is not the first between the UK government and Syrian oppositions groups but it is seen as the most significant yet as it is being attended by Mr Hague rather than more junior foreign office ministers.Monday's meeting is not the first between the UK government and Syrian oppositions groups but it is seen as the most significant yet as it is being attended by Mr Hague rather than more junior foreign office ministers.
'Appalling'
More than 3,500 people are reported to have died in clashes between Syrian government troops and opposition forces this year, with opposition groups saying 27 people were killed on Saturday.More than 3,500 people are reported to have died in clashes between Syrian government troops and opposition forces this year, with opposition groups saying 27 people were killed on Saturday.
The UK is pressing for further sanctions against the Assad government while the Arab League has called for a cessation of violence and for independent monitors to be allowed into the country.The UK is pressing for further sanctions against the Assad government while the Arab League has called for a cessation of violence and for independent monitors to be allowed into the country.
Mr Hague told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was intensifying contacts with opposition groups.Mr Hague told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was intensifying contacts with opposition groups.
"We have increase the pressure on the Assad regime. The behaviour of that regime is appalling and unacceptable and we will do what we can to support democracy in Syria.""We have increase the pressure on the Assad regime. The behaviour of that regime is appalling and unacceptable and we will do what we can to support democracy in Syria."
But he said the situation was not comparable to that in Libya, where the UK and France recognised the opposition National Transition Council months before the former regime of Muammar Gaddafi was toppled.But he said the situation was not comparable to that in Libya, where the UK and France recognised the opposition National Transition Council months before the former regime of Muammar Gaddafi was toppled.
"We are not at the point of a formal recognition, partly because there are differing groups not a single council as there was in Libya," he added. "They are not in control of territory in Syria as the council were in Libya and the international community has not reached that point.""We are not at the point of a formal recognition, partly because there are differing groups not a single council as there was in Libya," he added. "They are not in control of territory in Syria as the council were in Libya and the international community has not reached that point."
President Assad has said that, far from peaceful protests, the demonstrations are being led by armed militants and has warned against any foreign intervention in Syria, saying it could destabilise the whole region.President Assad has said that, far from peaceful protests, the demonstrations are being led by armed militants and has warned against any foreign intervention in Syria, saying it could destabilise the whole region.
'Optimistic''Optimistic'
Mr Hague said he was still hopeful for the future of the Arab Spring despite events in Syria and a "worrying" escalation of violence in Egypt ahead of elections later this month.Mr Hague said he was still hopeful for the future of the Arab Spring despite events in Syria and a "worrying" escalation of violence in Egypt ahead of elections later this month.
"We do have these problems in Egypt but elections are about to take place there," he said."We do have these problems in Egypt but elections are about to take place there," he said.
"We have seen successful elections in Tunisia, a new government is now being formed in Libya and important reforms are taking place in Morocco and Jordan. And so we should remain on the optimistic side on what is happening in the Arab Spring, albeit there will be many conflicts and difficulties along the way.""We have seen successful elections in Tunisia, a new government is now being formed in Libya and important reforms are taking place in Morocco and Jordan. And so we should remain on the optimistic side on what is happening in the Arab Spring, albeit there will be many conflicts and difficulties along the way."
On Libya, Mr Hague said the UK wanted to see Col Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam, who was captured on Saturday and has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, tried to "international standards".On Libya, Mr Hague said the UK wanted to see Col Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam, who was captured on Saturday and has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, tried to "international standards".
"Of course it is within the rules of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that people can be tried within the country concerned by agreement with the ICC, meeting international standards."Of course it is within the rules of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that people can be tried within the country concerned by agreement with the ICC, meeting international standards.
"I would like to see him tried to international standards whether that be in Libya or The Hague. That is the important thing.""I would like to see him tried to international standards whether that be in Libya or The Hague. That is the important thing."