The Syrian National Council, which had announced that it would boycott the conference of the Friends of Syria, changes its mind after US Secretary of State said that the Rome conference would not only be talk. Syrian Foreign minister says his government is ready to talk, "including those who are carrying arms."

Rome (AsiaNews) - The Syrian National Council (SNC), which brings together Syrian opposition groups, announced that its leader, Moaz al-Khatib (pictured), would take part in the upcoming conference by the Friends of Syria, set for this Thursday in Rome. Initially, it had said that it would boycott the event. The decision comes after the new US Secretary of State, John Kerry, said that US President would boost aid for the rebels, SNC spokesman Walid al-Bunni said.

The opposition's decision comes a day after Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem announced his government was ready for talks "with all who want dialogue, including those who are carrying arms".

Speaking in Moscow, where he is on a visit, the Syrian minister echoed earlier statements by his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, who insisted that there were no alternatives to a political solution to the crisis.

Lavrov said after meeting al-Muallem in Moscow on Monday that there was "no acceptable alternative to a political solution achieved through agreeing positions of the government and the opposition".

"We are for Syria to be independent, united; and for all Syrian citizens, regardless of their religion, to live freely in peace and democracy," he said. "The Syrian people should decide their fate without external intervention".

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Kerry in London on his maiden visit to Europe and the Middle East said that President Obama plans to push for a solution to the Syrian crisis.

"Today we were discussing various options and I'm not going to go into what they may or not be at this point in time," Kerry told reporters on a visit to London where he met British officials.  

However, "I want our friends in the Syrian opposition council to know we are not coming to Rome simply to talk. We're coming to Rome to make the decision about next steps and perhaps even other options that may or not be discussed further after that."

What could be taken as a sign of openness by the Syrian regime but also a sign of weakness as well as greater US involvement in Syria will be discussed in Berlin where Kerry arrives today for meetings with German officials.

• syria
• united
• states
• john
• kerry
• rebels
• civil
• war
• syrian
• national
• council