''Arab Spring'' Syria

SYRIAN OPPOSITION FORMS COUNCIL TO COUNTER ASSAD…….

Anytime fundamustards are involved in anything remotely linked to politics, it’s not a good sign. How much you want to bet that in the end, they’ll exert more control than the rest gathered around the table? KGS

Syria opposition group form council to counter Assad

By REUTERS
07/17/2011 01:13

25-member National Salvation council composed of Islamists, liberals, independents elected following fractious one-day meeting.

ISTANBUL – A meeting of Syrian opposition figures in Istanbul ended late on Saturday with the election of a 25-member National Salvation council composed of Islamists,liberals and independents.

“We shall work towards reaching out towards other opposition groups to lead the country towards the democratic vision we have,” Haitham al-Maler told Reuters at the conclusion of the often fractious one-day meeting.

The meeting took place a day after the biggest demonstrations so far in Syria by protesters seeking an end to 41 years of Assad family rule. On Friday, President Bashar Assad’s troops killed at least 32 civilians, including 23 in the capital Damascus.

During the Istanbul meeting, the opposition groups appeared divided over whether to form a government-in-waiting or wait to see how the uprising unfolds.

They finally compromised on forming the council which will meet on Sunday to appoint an 11-member committee. A further meeting will seek to tighten bonds between the opposition groups.

Of the close to 350 people who attended the opposition congress, many were Syrian exiles who had left the country years earlier.

More here.

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