Syria's main opposition groups boycotted talks on national dialogue on Sunday but Vice President Farouq al-Shara said the country, which is facing months of unrest, has no alternative to dialogue.
Sharaa was speaking at the start of a two-day conference aimed at setting the framework for national dialogue promised by President Bashar al-Assad, under pressure from protests calling for his departure and imposing the biggest challenge for his 11-year rule.
But the meeting was marred by the absence of main opposition figures and groups who rejected Assad's call for dialogue and said they will not join any talks before the authorities put an end to a military crackdown and release thousands of political prisoners.
"At this time there is no alternative to dialogue. (The alternative) is bloodshed, economic bleeding and self destruction," Sharaa told more than 200 participants, who included intellectuals, independent parliament members and less prominent opposition figures. Syria has imposed restrictions on media. The meeting was broadcasted live on Syrian television.
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