Syria has opened the national dialogue on Sunday, while some opposition parties refused to participate.

Syrian Republic has opened the national dialogue on Sunday as a step towards multi-party democracy. However, some opposition parties refused to participate.

Delegates observed a minute's silence in memory of the "martyrs" before the playing of the national anthem.

"We are going to hold a comprehensive national dialogue during which we will announce Syria's transition towards a multi-party democratic state in which everyone will be equal and able to participate in the building of the nation's future," Vice President Faruq al-Shara said in his opening address.

President Bashar al-Assad announced the dialogue in a keynote speech on June 20.

Delegates were expected to include some independent MPs as well as members of the Baath party.

The government said that delegates would be invited to discuss a whole raft of reforms, including amending Clause Eight of the constitution which enshrines the leading role of the Baath party in Syrian political life.

Moreover, youth activists in the city of Lattakia are to rise on Sunday the longest Syria flag, 16 Kilometers length and 4.5 meters wide, presenting a public initiative to support the reform project and the national dialogue, and to express refusal against foreign interference in the Syrian internal affairs.