Syrian Opposition Groups to Meet in Istanbul

Syrian opposition factions will meet again in Istanbul on Tuesday to agree on common objectives for their nation's future ahead of a "Friends of Syria" conference, they said Monday.

Informal discussions have been taking place in a hotel on the outskirts of Turkey's largest city since Sunday, though talks start officially on Tuesday, said Ahmed Kamel, spokesman for the Syrian National Council.

Syria's fragmented opposition has struggled to remain united in the face of President Bashar al-Assad's deadly crackdown on dissent that began more than a year ago.

The first "Friends of Syria" meeting was held in Tunis in late February, with participation from about 60 countries, including Western and Arab nations. The next meeting takes place in Istanbul on Sunday.

Kamel said Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, was expected to attend the conference opening.

Qatar holds the presidency of the Arab League and al-Thani has said he was in favor of delivering arms to Syrian opposition soldiers battling President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Qatar's ambassador could not confirm if al-Thani would attend.

Kamel said most key opposition groups would attend the talks: Kurds, Syrian Turks, Islamist groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, hardline Salafists and others.

However, the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change, which fears escalating militarization of the conflict, has refused to attend.

Prominent opposition figure Michel Kilo also was not expected not attend.

Monitors say at least 9,100 people have been killed in Syria since anti-regime protests broke out last year.

"The objective of the meeting is to make a solemn declaration on the civil future of Syria if the regime falls," Kamel said. "Syria won't be a state ruled by soldiers or by religious people."