Britain officially recognises Syrian opposition

In this November 16, 2012 photo Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague shakes hands for the cameras with head of the new Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces Mouaz al-Khatib before a meeting in London.

Britain has formally recognised the newly formed Syrian opposition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague made the announcement Tuesday.

Last week, France became the first Western nation to officially recognise the Syrian National Coalition, which formed earlier this month in Qatar in opposition to President Bashar Assad.

The U.S. has also recognised the leadership body as a legitimate representative, but stopped short of describing it as a sole representative, saying the group must first demonstrate its ability to represent Syrians inside the country.