Speaking at the second Friends of Syria conference in Istanbul, the Canadian Foreign Minister said his country will provide $1 million for the Syrian opposition’s pro-democracy programs. He also pledged an additional $7.5 million for the resolution of humanitarian issues created by the conflict. John Baird called on the Syrian government to allow international humanitarian aid in without any hindrance. Seventy countries, including the Untied States, the United Kingdom and France, participated in the second Friends of Syria conference. They recognized the Syrian National Council as the “legitimate representative” of the Syrian people, and pledged support for the implementation the six-point plan proposed by UN-Arab League Syrian envoy Kofi Annan.