Protesting the lack of global condemnation for atrocities in Syria, the country's main opposition coalition said Saturday it would not attend upcoming talks in Italy, Russia and the United States, DPA reported.
"Due to this shameful international position, the coalition has decided to suspend its participation in the Friends of Syria Conference of international powers due in Rome on Thursday and talks in Russia and the US," the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces said.
The boycott decision came a day after dozens of people were reportedly killed in a missile attack by troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against a residential area in the northern city of Aleppo.
"Hundreds of civilians have been killed by Scud missile strikes and Aleppo is being systematically destroyed," added the coalition in a statement.
The coalition specifically lashed out at Russia for continuing to supply weapons to al-Assad's regime. The head of the coalition, Moaz al-Khatib, was due to visit Moscow in early March for landmark talks with Russian officials.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this week called for direct talks between the Syrian opposition and al-Assad's regime.
He said that there was no hope for a military solution to Syria's nearly two-year conflict. "We cannot continue to listen to statements only. We want action from our friends. The world has responsibility to protect the Syrian people, who die in their tens every day by the brutal Syrian regime," Walid al-Bunni, the coalition spokesman said.
At least 70,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising against al-Assad's rule started in March 2011, according to UN estimates.