A representative of the Syrian National Council (SNC) on Tuesday denied reports that the opposition umbrella group was ready to form a coalition with the government.

Earlier Tuesday, some Western media reported that SNC spokesman George Sabra said the main opposition group was willing to accept a transition led temporarily by a member of the current government if President Bashar al-Assad agrees to step down.

"This is an utter lie. Neither Mr. Sabra nor Ms. Kodmani has made these statements," SNC European foreign relations coordinator Monzer Makhous told Russia's Interfax news agency, referring to Bassma Kodmani, the SNC's head of foreign relations.

Makhous said the opposition would not agree to accept talks with the Assad government as "no persons associated with murders of the Syrian people could participate in the talks."

Earlier this month, Kodmani said in Moscow that the SNC would not start any dialogue with the Syrian government and Assad.?