Assad may be offered clemency by

Britain and US if he joins peace talks

At this time of night, I thought it read Assange. But then... if anyone needs the punchline, I'm here all week.

syria’s armed opposition

"There's a fellow half in shot on the right, wielding an AK variant and wearing loosely assembled fatigues, but also with a scarf round his neck in Syrian colours which looks very much like his mum knitted it for him. One hopes that both are OK."
From Blood and Treasure's commentary [http://bloodandtreasure.typepad.com/…/not-exactly-hearts-an…] on an assessment of the armed Syrian opposition.