The Syrian Reform Party is asking Alawites to leave their homes in the north west of the country. In a statement, they "asked the Alawites to leave their regions".

They deny it is a call for ethnic cleansing, or that they are trying to forment civil war. And they said their call has the backing of the US Government.

Other opposition groups in the UK and Europe accuse Farid Ghadry's SRP of working on behalf of the Bush Government. But they deny that: "We did not speak on behalf of the US Administration and we do not have the right to do so".

The National Salvation Front:"Democratic change in Syria is a pure national project. We reject any foreign intervention in Syria's national affairs."

Farid Ghadry has previously been accused of hiding his links to pro-Israeli groups. He calls for a complete and immediate peace with Israel - even if that means giving up the Golan Heights.