Syria's government and opposition, meeting face to face for the first time at a U.N. peace conference in Switzerland.

The two sides angrily spelled out their hostility Wednesday.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem says only Syrians can decide the fate of their country.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, WALID AL-MOUALEM, SAYING:

"Independent Syria will do whatever it takes to defend itself in ways that it deems appropriate without taking into consideration all the statements and the stands that have been made by many. These decisions are entirely Syrian decisions and they will remain so."

He called on all foreign powers to stop sending arms to Syria.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, WALID AL-MOUALEM, SAYING:

"If you are truly concerned about the humanitarian situation and the living conditions in Syria, take your hands off us, stop pouring arms into Syria and stop supporting the terrorists and lift the sanctions an