BREAKING NEWS

Syrian opposition urges review of al-Nusra blacklisting

By REUTERS

DECEMBER 12, 2012 16:55

MARRAKECH, Morocco - The leader of Syria's opposition coalition urged the United States on Wednesday to review its decision to designate the militant Islamist Jabhat al-Nusra as a terrorist group, saying religion was a legitimate motive for Syrian rebels.

"The decision to consider a party that is fighting the regime as a terrorist party needs to be reviewed," Mouaz Alkhatib told a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Morocco, where Western and Arab states granted full recognition to the coalition seeking to oust President Bashar Assad.

"We might disagree with some parties and their ideas and their political and ideological vision. But we affirm that all the guns of the rebels are aimed at overthrowing the tyrannical criminal regime."

Khatib also called on Syria's Alawite minority on Wednesday to launch a campaign of civil disobedience against Assad, an Alawite facing a mainly Sunni Muslim uprising against his rule.

The United States designated the Jabhat al-Nusra (Nusra Front) as a foreign terrorist organization and said it was trying to hijack the revolt on behalf of al-Qaida in Iraq.

Without naming al-Nusra, US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns urged Alkhatib's coalition to "take a firm stand against extremists" who could commandeer the revolt.

"Transition is coming one way or another," he told the meeting in the city of Marrakech.

Gaza negotiations progressing but we remain prudent, says French FM

By REUTERS

04/29/2024 10:17 AM

IDF strikes Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/29/2024 08:23 AM

US military says it engaged five unmanned drones over Red Sea

By REUTERS

04/29/2024 04:59 AM

Dozens of tornadoes strike Oklahoma, killing at least four

By REUTERS