Syrian rebel PM Hitto resigns over divisions in opposition

BEIRUT – Agence France-Presse

Syrian rebel fighters gather around a former Syrian army tank as rebels prepare to attack positions held by the Syrian army areas in the Salaheddine neighborhood of Aleppo, on July 8, 2013. Syria's rebel prime minister Ghassan Hitto announced his resignation, nearly four months after his appointment and having failed to form a government. AFP photo

Ghassan Hitto, prime minister of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), the country’s main opposition group, announced his resignation on July 8, nearly four months after his appointment and having failed to form a government.

“I announce I will not continue in my capacity as prime minister tasked with leading the interim government, though I emphasize I will continue working for the interests of the revolution and towards achieving its objectives,” Hitto said in an online statement.
 
His resignation comes two days after Ahmad al-Jarba was chosen to lead the main opposition National Coalition. Jarba is seen as close to Saudi Arabia, which opposed the selection of Hitto to head the interim government in March.
 
Dissidents say Hitto, who is close to the opposition’s Islamist ranks and whose candidacy was backed by Qatar, was unable to work because of divisions within the Coalition. Hitto said he decided to resign in order “to help... the Coalition’s new leadership to act according to its political vision, especially with regards to the interim government and its executive functions.”