VIENNA -- Syria's opposition leader is urging Austria to offer greater support for the struggle to unseat Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Syrian National Council President Burhan Ghalioun says Austria's "leading role" could include asking Russia to stop opposing U.N. Security Council attempts to condemn human rights abuses by the regime in its fight against the opposition.
The Syrian government is trying to choke off a 9-month-old popular uprising demanding the ouster of Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for more than 40 years.
Ghalioun says he asked Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger Spindelegger on Friday for financial and humanitarian help, including opening Austria to Syrian refugees.
Activists say Syrian forces killed at least five people -- including two children -- as they fired on anti-government demonstrations across the country on Friday.
