More than 39,000 people have died since the uprising began 20 months ago.
William Hague signalled yesterday (Friday) that Britain is prepared to recognise a new Syrian rebel coalition, and refused to rule out offering them weapons to hasten the removal of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
After meeting delegates from the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces in London, the Foreign Secretary said: "We would like to be able at an early stage to recognise them as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people."
Hague suggested that he could announce his decision as early next week, hailing an "encouraging turning point" in the 21-month battle to topple the Syrian dictator. "We cannot stand still, we cannot just say we will leave things as they are in Syria, because it is a gravely deteriorating situation. How we respond has to be well judged, well thought-through," he said.
More than 39,000 people have died since the uprising began 20 months ago.
France, Turkey and the Gulf states have recognised the new coalition, after abandoning the previous group, the Syrian National Council, which was seen as ineffectual and wracked by internal disputes.
By contrast, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, the leader of the coalition, joined protests in Damascus against Assad early and spent several months in jail. His meeting with Hague was his first visit to a Western capital since the new opposition front was formed last weekend.
Britain and European allies are discussing whether to overturn an arms embargo on Syria, which would allow weapons to be supplied to rebel forces.
"We don't rule out any option on Syria, but we are conscious that this ultimately needs, whatever happens, a diplomatic and political solution," said Hague.
Different Government departments have discussed proposals of a no-fly zone and defence sources have said troops might also be deployed to assist refugees entering neighbouring countries.
Russia, which has backed the Assad regime by vetoing sanctions at the United Nations Security Council, warned that it would oppose any such moves.
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