National Coalition for Opposition Forces will be made up of rebel groups both inside & outside #Syria http://on.rt.com/d290ir "
RT
8:41 AM - 11 Nov 12 · Details
Syrian opposition agrees to form unified coalition - Doha conference delegate
Published: 11 November, 2012, 15:36
TRENDS:
Syria unrest
Syria unrest
Leading Syrian opposition figure Haitham al-Maleh (R) arrives at the meeting of the General Assembly of the Syrian National Council, in Doha November 8, 2012. (Reutres / Mohamad Dabbouss)
Syrian opposition groups have signed an agreement to create a new leadership body united against President Bashar Assad. The announcement came after days of talks in Doha sponsored by foreign backers pushing for regime change in the embattled nation.
"An initial deal has been signed. The evening session will be for electing the president of the body and his deputy,"Muslim Brotherhood delegate Ali Sadreddine al-Bayanouni told reporters following the talks.
The umbrella organization, dubbed the National Coalition for Opposition Forces and the Syrian Revolution, will be made up of rebel groups both inside and outside Syria. The aim of the leadership body is the removal of President Assad and the establishment of a transitional government.
The Syrian opposition hopes that the formation of the new unified body will attract donations from the Arab League and the West, who have pushed for greater cohesion amongst the rebel Syrian groups.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leveled criticism at opposition group the Syrian National Council (SNC) last week. She said the SNC did not reflect the needs and aims of soldiers fighting on the ground in Syria, and as such “could no longer be viewed as the visible leader of the opposition.”
The SNC aggressively condemned the response, saying any attempt to replace them would undermine the Syrian revolution by “sowing the seeds of division.”
On Sunday, the Syrian government reiterated its call for dialogue to resolve the ongoing conflict in the country. “The only way to succeed in Syria is to sit down at the table to launch a national dialogue,” Syrian Information Minister Omran A Zohbi said.
