Syrian opposition claims Assad is “on his knees”

Syrian opposition figures are hoping the new leader of the Syrian National Council will unify the disparate groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking from Turkey where the SNC is based after his election, Abdelbasset Sida said Assad’s regime was on its last legs. And he issued a call to Russia and China to “recognize the risk we are facing in Syria”.

“This risk threatens the security of neighbouring countries and also international security,” he added.

On the ground there has been no let up in the bloodshed. Some 35 people are reported killed in the province of Homs where government forces are trying to regain control. At the same time, the Free Syrian Army has stepped up attacks on regular army patrols, roadblocks and missile stocks.

Meanwhile Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz has urged world powers to take action saying after the military intervention in Libya, their silence over Syria was “contrary to all human logic”.

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