An organization of 60 nations in opposition to the Syrian government's oppression of its people says it recognizes the Syrian National Council as the legitimate representative of the country's people.

Western and Arab nation officials of the "Friends of Syria" held their first talks in Tunisia on Friday and released a declaration after the meeting.

The declaration said the countries would work to stifle the violence of the Syrian government on its people by banning travel to the country, freezing Syrian assets in foreign accounts and placing an embargo on oil exports.

Russia and China refused to participate in the talks, saying the meeting was one-sided and that its goals and management were unclear.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attacked the two countries for standing against U.N. actions on Syria.