Russia says it is surprised the United States has recognized a newly formed Syrian opposition coalition as the representative of the Syrian people.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday the move goes against efforts to establish a political transition in Syria.



"As the coalition has been recognized as the only legitimate representative, it seems that the United States decided to place all bets on the armed victory of this very national coalition," said Lavrov.



U.S. President Barack Obama announced the widely expected move in a television interview Tuesday. It is aimed at strengthening the hand of rebels seeking to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. But it stops short of any U.S. commitment to arm the opposition, which the administration says includes terrorist participation.



Related: Obama: US Now Recognizes New Syrian Opposition Coalition



Moscow opposes Western demands to impose regime change on the Syrian president, a longtime Russian ally.



Meanwhile, more than 100 delegations from nations in the so-called Friends of Syria group are attending a conference Wednesday in Morocco aimed at agreeing on a strategy for a political transition if the Assad government falls.



They are also expected to discuss how the conflict is affecting regional security, as well efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees.