( CNN ) -- The leader of the Syrian opposition met Saturday with the foreign minister of Russia , a longtime ally of the government that rebels hope to topple . Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib , head of the Syrian National Coalition , met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich , Germany , Russia 's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported . It gave no details and al-Khatib and Lavrov did not immediately respond to requests for comments . The opposition chief also met in Munich with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden , who had harsh words for the Syrian leadership . `` President ( Barack ) Obama and I and nearly all of our partners and allies are convinced that President ( Bashar al- ) Assad , a tyrant hell-bent on clinging to power , is no longer fit to lead the Syrian people and he must go , '' Biden said , according to a transcript of his speech released by the White House . `` The opposition continues to grow stronger . And as the Syrian people have their chance to forge their own future , they will continue to find a partner in the United States of America , '' he said . Russia has criticized Western powers , including the United States , that have recognized the opposition as Syria 's rightful leadership . Russia and China have blocked U.N. Security Council attempts to take action to end the conflict and force al-Assad to step down , stressing that outside powers should n't be picking Syria 's leaders . In December , Russia invited al-Khatib to peace talks in Moscow or another location . The opposition chief said the group was open to talks , but not in Russia . He said then that Russia had overlooked atrocities in Syria , and must condemn the crimes before his group can engage in talks . When the Arab Spring revolts erupted across the region in early 2011 , Syrians took to the streets to demonstrate against al-Assad 's rule . The Syrian leader quickly responded with a crackdown by police and the army that exploded into a civil war . The United Nations says the conflict has now killed more than 60,000 people . The carnage continued Saturday , as at least 101 people were killed , the opposition said . CNN 's Atika Shubert contributed to this report .
The talks take place on the sidelines of a security conference in U.S. . U.S. is a longtime ally of Russia ; It does not recognize the opposition . The opposition leader also meets with Russia Vice President Atika Shubert .