The Obama administration has invited Syria’s umbrella opposition group to Washington following formal recognition earlier this week. Speaking at an international gathering in Morocco, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns followed up President Obama’s public declaration of support for the Syrian opposition coalition with an invite to the White House.

William Burns: “Today the United States has taken an important step forward. We now recognize the Syrian opposition council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. We have extended an invitation to Mouaz al-Khatib and the coalition leadership to visit Washington at their earliest opportunity.”