Syrian opposition figures are holding a rare meeting in Damascus for talks during which they called for the overthrow of the Syrian regime, AP reported.

Some 16 opposition parties are taking part in the conference headed by the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria — a Syria-based opposition group.

The rare opposition gathering in a regime-held city was to discuss peaceful ways to end Syria's raging civil war and help unite the fragmented opposition.

Sunday September 22 meeting at a hotel in the capital was held under tight security and was attended by ambassadors of Russia and Iran, two allies of embattled President Bashar Assad's regime.

The Syrian opposition suffers acute divisions between the largely exiled opposition and those based inside the country. The two differ on means to topple Assad.