Assad opponents unite, ask world for help

ISTANBUL, (Reuters) – Syria’s main opposition groups  joined together today to call on the international community  to take action to protect Syrian people facing a violent  crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
A statement issued in Istanbul on behalf of the newly formed  National Council rejected foreign intervention that “compromises  Syria’s sovereignty” but said the outside world had a  humanitarian obligation to protect the Syrian people.
“The Council demands international governments and  organisations meet their responsibility to support the Syrian  people, protect them and stop the crimes and gross human rights  violations being committed by the illegitimate current regime,”  the statement said.
It also said the Muslim Brotherhood, the Damascus  Declaration – the main grouping of established opposition  figures – and grassroots activists all had joined the National  Council.
While few expect a Libya-style intervention in Syria, the  declaration was nonetheless an important show of unity for the  opposition, which has been weakened by in-fighting.
“The fact that Islamists, secular figures and activists in  the ground are now on one council is a significant,” a diplomat  in the Syrian capital Damascus said.
“But they still have to demonstrate that they could be  politically savvy and able to fill any political vacuum. They  need a detailed action plan beyond the generalities of wanting a  democratic Syria.”
The United Nations says 2,700 people, including 100  children, have been killed in six months of protests against     President Bashar al-Assad.