Britain plans to hold talks with armed Syrian rebels in a bid to unite the opposition to the regime of president Bashar al-Assad.

This announcement comes as David Cameron arrives in Jordan on the latest stage of his visit to the Middle East where he will discuss the fighting in Syria with the king of Jordan and meet refugees from the conflict.

Downing Street said the talks between UK officials and Syrian rebels would take place in Jordan and Turkey.

On Tuesday Mr. Cameron said he was prepared to see President Assad allow safe passage out of Syria if that would help ensure a peaceful power shift but he insists that he would “favour him facing the full force of international law and justice for what he’s done.”

More than 30,000 people have been killed in the violence in Syria which began last year.