A national dialogue proposed by Syrian President Bashar Assad began in Damascus on Sunday but was boycotted by prominent opposition groups that urged the government to stop its crackdown on demonstrators first.
Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa, who opened the two-day meeting, said: "I hope that we will reach ... transition to a pluralistic democratic state that enjoys equality for all citizens who participate in forming their own shining future."
His comments supporting multiparty democracy highlighted the extent to which the uprising has shaken President Bashar Assad, who inherited power from his father in 2000.
Still, Al-Sharaa warned: "Unauthorized protests that lead to unwanted violence will cause the fall of more civilians and soldiers."
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