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Syrian National Council holds congress in Tunisia Syrian National Council holds congress in Tunisia
(about 6 hours later)
The Syrian National Council, a coalition of groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, is holding its first congress in Tunisia.The Syrian National Council, a coalition of groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, is holding its first congress in Tunisia.
About 200 members of the SNC are meeting near the capital Tunis in a bid to further unify the Syrian opposition.About 200 members of the SNC are meeting near the capital Tunis in a bid to further unify the Syrian opposition.
Correspondents say delegates hope the council will emerge looking more like a government-in-waiting.Correspondents say delegates hope the council will emerge looking more like a government-in-waiting.
Earlier, thousands of anti-government protesters again took to the streets across Syria following Friday prayers.Earlier, thousands of anti-government protesters again took to the streets across Syria following Friday prayers.
Activists said at least six people had been killed by security forces in the central city of Homs, which has become a focal point for unrest.Activists said at least six people had been killed by security forces in the central city of Homs, which has become a focal point for unrest.
"We need to unite the opposition and make it stronger," SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun told AFP news agency."We need to unite the opposition and make it stronger," SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun told AFP news agency.
"We need to emerge from this congress with a higher level of organisation, clearer targets and more momentum.""We need to emerge from this congress with a higher level of organisation, clearer targets and more momentum."
Limited contactLimited contact
The congress, in the resort of Gammarth north of Tunis, opened on Friday evening and runs until Sunday.The congress, in the resort of Gammarth north of Tunis, opened on Friday evening and runs until Sunday.
The formation of the SNC was formally announced in Istanbul in the Turkish city of Istanbul in September.The formation of the SNC was formally announced in Istanbul in the Turkish city of Istanbul in September.
However, its leaders are mostly exiled intellectuals who have limited contact with those organising resistance inside Syria, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul.However, its leaders are mostly exiled intellectuals who have limited contact with those organising resistance inside Syria, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul.
The opposition in Syria has proved remarkably resilient in the face of the heavy firepower used by the Syrian authorities - but it lacks clear leadership.The opposition in Syria has proved remarkably resilient in the face of the heavy firepower used by the Syrian authorities - but it lacks clear leadership.
This was supposed to be provided by the Syrian National Council, which was established in Istanbul in September - but the council's leaders are mostly intellectuals in exile who have limited contact with those organising resistance inside Syria.This was supposed to be provided by the Syrian National Council, which was established in Istanbul in September - but the council's leaders are mostly intellectuals in exile who have limited contact with those organising resistance inside Syria.
They hope that their first congress this weekend will produce a much clearer agreed strategy, and that the council will emerge looking more like a government-in-waiting. They hope that their first congress this weekend will produce a much clearer agreed strategy.
Concern over the readiness of the opposition to take over from President Assad is one factor holding some countries back from endorsing international intervention in Syria.Concern over the readiness of the opposition to take over from President Assad is one factor holding some countries back from endorsing international intervention in Syria.
Fittingly, this congress is being held on the first anniversary of the Arab uprisings, in Tunisia, where they began.Fittingly, this congress is being held on the first anniversary of the Arab uprisings, in Tunisia, where they began.
Widespread anti-government protests encouraged by the Arab Spring began in Syria in March and triggered a harsh crackdown that has brought regional and international condemnation.Widespread anti-government protests encouraged by the Arab Spring began in Syria in March and triggered a harsh crackdown that has brought regional and international condemnation.
But after months of bloodshed and no sign of the regime falling, some Syrians have taken up arms in a bid to remove President Assad.But after months of bloodshed and no sign of the regime falling, some Syrians have taken up arms in a bid to remove President Assad.
Earlier this month, the SNC said it had agreed to co-ordinate action with the Free Syrian Army (FSA), largely made up of renegade soldiers.Earlier this month, the SNC said it had agreed to co-ordinate action with the Free Syrian Army (FSA), largely made up of renegade soldiers.
The council said the FSA had agreed to reduce attacks on government forces.The council said the FSA had agreed to reduce attacks on government forces.
Our correspondent says that events inside Syria may outpace whatever the exiled opposition leaders decide, as armed members of the opposition mount increasingly bold attacks.Our correspondent says that events inside Syria may outpace whatever the exiled opposition leaders decide, as armed members of the opposition mount increasingly bold attacks.
Analysts say the SNC may also face a challenge from another opposition grouping, the National Alliance, which was formed in Istanbul on Thursday.Analysts say the SNC may also face a challenge from another opposition grouping, the National Alliance, which was formed in Istanbul on Thursday.
Foreign correspondents are largely banned from the country, making it difficult to confirm accounts of the unrest.Foreign correspondents are largely banned from the country, making it difficult to confirm accounts of the unrest.
But reports on Friday said that the Arab League came in for criticism during the mass protests.But reports on Friday said that the Arab League came in for criticism during the mass protests.
Although the league suspended Syria's membership last month, it has been divided over whether to impose sanctions.Although the league suspended Syria's membership last month, it has been divided over whether to impose sanctions.
Many protesters called on the regional body to stop extending a deadline it has given Damascus to end the crackdown and agree to an observer mission.Many protesters called on the regional body to stop extending a deadline it has given Damascus to end the crackdown and agree to an observer mission.
There was also anger that the league had cancelled a meeting of foreign ministers due to debate Syria on Saturday.There was also anger that the league had cancelled a meeting of foreign ministers due to debate Syria on Saturday.
The UN says the Syrian authorities have killed more than 5,000 people since pro-democracy demonstrations began.The UN says the Syrian authorities have killed more than 5,000 people since pro-democracy demonstrations began.
President Assad has denied ordering security forces to attack peaceful protesters, and says the violence is being orchestrated by armed gangs.President Assad has denied ordering security forces to attack peaceful protesters, and says the violence is being orchestrated by armed gangs.