Western Governments Push For Unity in Syrian Opposition

Differences could be holding Assad's opponents back from successes

WESTERN nations and allies in the Middle East are to urge Syria's fractured opposition to unite, seeking a new path for ending the country's conflict amid deadlock between major powers on the United Nations Security Council.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hosting talks on Friday between members of Syria's opposition and the Friends of Syria—a coalition which includes the US, the European Union and the Arab League—on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, seeking to encourage better cooperation among groups which oppose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.