Syrian opposition calls for international military intervention

United Nations (CNN) -- The opposition Syrian National Council called Monday for urgent military intervention on the part of the international community to help halt the grinding violence and protect civilians.

The SNC, an umbrella group that represents the opposition abroad, also demanded a no-fly zone across Syria and a "speedy operation" to arm the Free Syrian Army, a group of fighters made up primarily of defectors from forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

"Sympathy messages are no longer enough. ... What is needed is actions on (the) ground and decisions and measures against Assad's gangs," the group said in a statement after a meeting in Turkey.

Its demands came as diplomatic efforts to resolve the yearlong Syrian conflict faltered. Read More