Syria opposition reject national dialogue

Syria's main opposition groups have boycotted talks on national dialogue once again. But, Vice President Farouq al-Shara says the country, after months of unrest, has no alternative but dialogue.

Shara was speaking at the start of a two-day conference aimed at setting up a framework for talks. This is part of a process promised by President Bashar al-Assad, who is under pressure from protesters calling for his resignation. But, the meeting was marked by the absence of main opposition figures and groups who have rejected Assad's call for dialogue.

They said they will not join any talks before the military crackdown is over, and thousands of political prisoners have been released. The conference, which started on Sunday, was expected to discuss legislation which would allow a multi-party system and constitutional reform.

Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa, third from left, with less prominent opposition figures attend the opening session of the government-sponsored reform talks, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday July 10, 2011.

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