Arab League says Syrian opposition must unite during Cairo meeting about transitional plan

CAIRO – The Arab League chief has called on the fragmented Syrian opposition to unite during a meeting in Cairo to discuss a new international plan for a transitional government.

Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby addressed nearly 250 members of the Syrian opposition at the meeting on Monday in an effort to get disparate groups to pull together. It is the first time the Arab League hosts a meeting of the Syrian opposition.

On Sunday, Syrian opposition groups rejected a U.N.-brokered peace plan for a transitional government because it left the door open for President Bashar Assad to be part of the interim administration.

Elaraby says the opposition “must not miss this opportunity” to unite, adding that the Syrian people are more valuable than any factional disagreements.