US President Barack Obama has said the US now formally recognises the Syrian National Coalition as the “legitimate representative” of the Syrian people.

The UK, France, Turkey and the Gulf states have also formally recognised Syria’s main opposition as the officially recognised representative of the Syrian people. Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib is the current leader of the National Coalition.

Although the US has formally recognised the Syrian National Coalition, it has refused to recognise the Al-Nusra group as part of the coalition, and has listed the group as a terrorist organisation.

Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s armed forces have reportedly fired at least four scud missiles inside Syria. The missiles, which were picked up by US military satellites, were launched from the Damascus area into northern Syria. A US official said that the missiles “came close” to the Turkish border with Syria.

In early December, Nato approved the deployment of anti-missile defence systems along Turkey’s border with Syria.The move was taken following concerns that Syria is preparing to use chemical weapons.

According to activists, more than 40,000 people have now been killed since the uprising against Al-Assad began in March 2011. Approximately 2.5 million Syrians have been displaced due to the continuing violence.