The Syrian opposition on Tuesday urged businessmen across the strife-torn country and throughout the Arab world to fund rebel forces seeking the overthrow of the regime of Bashar Assad. \"We are sending a warm appeal to Arab and Syrian businessmen to take part in an efficient and direct way in the legitimate financing of self-defense operations and the protection of civilian areas carried out by the Free Syrian Army,\" a joint statement issued by the Syrian National Council and the FSA said. Damascus - Naharnet