Canada told the Syrian opposition Tuesday it must reject extremism and embrace minorities before Ottawa will recognize its legitimacy as a successor to President Bashar Al-Assad, according to a federal official.| Wow. Go Canada! |
"He outlined the importance of rejecting extremism, the inclusion of minorities, and the importance of the role of women in a post-Assad era," said the official, who did not want to be named.
On Wednesday, Mr. Baird will publicly spell out those preconditions during an address before the Friends of the Syrian People meeting -- a gathering of more than 100 countries in Morocco's Marrakesh working to bolster legitimate opposition to the Assad regime.
While France, Britain, Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council have already recognized the newly formed Syrian National Coalition, and President Barack Obama confirmed Tuesday the U.S. would do the same, Mr. Baird was taking a more cautious approach.