FRIENDS OF SYRIA MEET IN LONDON

Foreign ministers from 11 western and Arab nations have agreed to increase support for the moderate opposition in Syria.

The so-called 'Friends of Syria' group says it won't be radically changing its stance on the crisis - despite recent gains in the country's civil war by President Bashar al Assad.

The group of nations was set up in response to China and Russia blocking attempts at the United Nations to reach agreement on international action on the Syian crisis.

They've been meeting in London, for from where Olly Barratt reports.

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Since the friends of Syria last met in January, peace talks have collapsed, UN envoy lakhdar brahimi has quit, president bashar al assad's forces have made progress against rebels, and he's announced he'll stand for re-election next month.

And yet, foreign ministers gathered at the foreign office here in london insist they can still make a positive impact.

Hosting the group - British foreign secretary william hague - who says help for the moderate opposition is crucial.

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Pressed though on what exactly, new, is being done to help the opposition - William Hague insisted extra steps are being taken.

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And US Secretary of STate John Kerry says the opposition is in fact making progress.

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But events on the ground in Syria make the group's job harder and harder.

And John Kerry says next month's elections will not solve anything.

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But President Bashar al Assad is likely to feel the international community is distracted by events elsewhere now, as he makes progress against rebel forces.

And Russia and China are not about to start supporting action on the Syrian crisis through the United Nations.

So the Friends of Syria find themselves struggling to find solutions to the three year conflict which has killed some 150 000 people.