Britain has 'encouraging' talks with Syrian opposition

LONDON (AFP) - British Foreign Secretary William Hague indicated on Friday he would decide within days whether to officially recognise the new Syrian opposition after "encouraging" talks with its leaders in London.

Mr Hague said he had pressed Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib and his two deputies, who are on their first visit to a Western capital since a united Syrian opposition was formed last weekend, on the need to be inclusive and respect human rights.

"I'm encouraged by what I've heard and seen from the leaders of the coalition," he said after meeting the trio at the Foreign Office, adding that he would make a statement to parliament on the issue next week.

Earlier, Mr Hague said in a BBC radio interview that Britain was re-examining a European Union (EU) embargo that prevents the arming of the Syrian opposition, but stressed that London was currently only offering non-lethal support.