The EU has welcomed the formation of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) and called on other countries to do the same.

The formation of the SNC was announced on 3 October and contains members from seven Syrian opposition factions.

In a statement made at a EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg, the EU said it welcomed the “efforts of the political opposition to establish a united platform” and said that it was a “positive step forward’’.

The Syrian leadership has said it will take “tough measures” against any countries, which recognised the SNC.

The UN estimates that there have been more than 2,700 deaths since the start of the unrest. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad assumed power in 2000 after his father had ruled the country for three decades.