Syria, Russia and Iran criticized the Arab League Wednesday for its decision to award Damascus's seat at the organization to anti-government representatives as the opposition coalition opened its first embassy in the Qatari capital, Doha.Opposition leader Mouaz al-Khatib had led the delegation that took Syria's vacant seat at the Arab League summit, which also voiced support for military aid to the rebels fighting to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria's state-run news agency said the league had compromised its values for the sake of Gulf Arab and western interests by giving its seat to what it called the "deformed" Syrian National Coalition.
Russia's foreign ministry called the league's move "illegal and indefensible" because it said the Syrian government is still a "legitimate" United Nations member-state.
Iran, which has sent advisers, money and weapons to help Mr. Assad retain power, also vented its anger at the Arab League Wednesday for recognizing "the so-called provisional government."
Syria's seat had been vacant since the Arab League suspended its membership in 2011. Most Arab League members have called for President Assad to step down.
Khatib recently resigned as head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition, but led the Syrian delegation at the two-day summit in Qatar at the invitation of that country's emir.
Meanwhile, al-Khatib and Qatar's state minister for foreign affairs cut a ceremonial ribbon at the entrance to the embassy in Doha with Arab and western ambassadors in attendance.
Later Wednesday, al-Khatib said the refusal of international powers to provide Patriot missile support for rebel-held areas of northern Syria sends a message to Mr. Assad to "do what [he wants]."
NATO said Tuesday it had no intention of intervening militarily in Syria after al-Khatib said he had asked the United States to use Patriot missiles to protect rebel-held areas from Mr. Assad's air power.
The increasingly isolated Syrian president Wednesday urged leaders of the five-nation BRICS economic forum to help end the bitter two-year conflict.
Mr. Assad sent a letter appealing to the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to "work for an immediate cessation of violence" and guarantee a "political solution" in Syria.
Syria's state-run news agency said the league had compromised its values for the sake of Gulf Arab and western interests by giving its seat to what it called the "deformed" Syrian National Coalition.
Russia's foreign ministry called the league's move "illegal and indefensible" because it said the Syrian government is still a "legitimate" United Nations member-state.
Iran, which has sent advisers, money and weapons to help Mr. Assad retain power, also vented its anger at the Arab League Wednesday for recognizing "the so-called provisional government."
Syria's seat had been vacant since the Arab League suspended its membership in 2011. Most Arab League members have called for President Assad to step down.
Khatib recently resigned as head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition, but led the Syrian delegation at the two-day summit in Qatar at the invitation of that country's emir.
Meanwhile, al-Khatib and Qatar's state minister for foreign affairs cut a ceremonial ribbon at the entrance to the embassy in Doha with Arab and western ambassadors in attendance.
Later Wednesday, al-Khatib said the refusal of international powers to provide Patriot missile support for rebel-held areas of northern Syria sends a message to Mr. Assad to "do what [he wants]."
NATO said Tuesday it had no intention of intervening militarily in Syria after al-Khatib said he had asked the United States to use Patriot missiles to protect rebel-held areas from Mr. Assad's air power.
The increasingly isolated Syrian president Wednesday urged leaders of the five-nation BRICS economic forum to help end the bitter two-year conflict.
Mr. Assad sent a letter appealing to the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to "work for an immediate cessation of violence" and guarantee a "political solution" in Syria.