Qatar yesterday called on the Syrian opposition to unite, reaffirming its 'keenness to fully support any means aimed at ending Syria's painful ordeal'.

Addressing a conference of Syrian opposition groups, which kicked off in Cairo yesterday under the auspices of the Arab League, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah said that Qatar had been closely working, since the start of the popular uprising, with all Syrian factions and regional and international players within the Arab League and the United Nations to spare the Syrian people further bloodshed and to preserve their country's security and stability.

'Qatar's diplomatic initiatives stem from its keenness to protect the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic from the spectre of civil war,' he said.

'The opposition is tasked with assuming responsibility to support the Syrian people in achieving their aspirations for security, stability and prosperity despite the current difficulties, challenges and limited means, requiring exceptional efforts to achieve the desired goal of regime change.'

Al-Attiyah said that he had held a number of meetings with the 'whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition', urging various groups to unify their vision and define a common approach on Syria's future.

He called upon all Syrian factions to develop a road map, identifying the objectives of the next phase based on the resolutions adopted by the Arab League and the United Nations.

Al-Attiyah urged the international community to step up pressure on the regime 'to comply with the legitimate aspirations of Syrian people'.