NEW : At least 172 died 20 months , opposition says . France and the United States put their support behind a new coalition of Syrian dissidents Tuesday , but Damascus slammed the group , saying any effort to topple President Bashar al-Assad will be futile . U.S. formally recognizes new Arab coalition ; France says it will give aid . Syrian spokesman : Opposition abroad is `` clinically dead , '' even after a recent unification . Tishreen is a national destiny and not a political option , '' an official says .
NEW : At least 172 died 20 months , opposition says . U.S. formally recognizes new Arab coalition ; France says it will give aid . Syrian spokesman : Opposition abroad is `` clinically dead , '' even after a recent unification . Tishreen is a national destiny and not a political option , '' an official says .