Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hosts representatives from Latin America as his country warns against recognition of the oppositional council.<br/> Syria has threatened to retaliate against any country that formally recognizes a recently established opposition National Council seeking international support for the six-month-old uprising against Assad.<br/> At a meeting with Latin American representatives Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem issued the warning<br/> SOUNDBITE: Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem, saying: (Arabic):<br/> "I do not care about what they want. What I care about is our position. We will take tough measures against any state which recognizes this illegitimate council."<br/> The formation of the council has been welcomed by Western countries including the United States and France.<br/> Overnight in Germany 24 people entered the Syrian embassy in Berlin. The German police said they removed the flag outside the building and painted graffiti saying Free Syria.<br/> On Saturday, amateur video out of Syria that could not be independently verified by Reuters, showed Syrian citizens under fire on the sidelines of a massive funeral for a Kurdish leader in Syria.<br/> Deborah Lutterbeck, reuters
