DAMASCUS: Syrian opposition chief Ahmad Moaz Alkhatib is determined to step down in the face of what he sees as world “inaction” as government forces recapture territory from the rebels, colleagues said yesterday. Khatib’s renewed threat to quit, almost a month after he first tendered his resignation amid recriminations over the choice of a perceived Muslim Brotherhood nominee as rebel prime minister, threw the opposition into fresh disarray as debate about the wisdom of arming it intensifies.
“I can confirm Khatib’s resignation is final,” National Coalition member Marwan Hajjo said, following a meeting in Istanbul of the “Friends of Syria” group of Arab and Western governments that support the opposition.
A source close to the Coalition said its members have already launched consultations in the search for a successor. Khatib himself posted a short statement on his Facebook page saying: “When a bird is in his cage, he remains imprisoned and paralysed. Yesterday I came out of the cage of deception that I was in.” AFP
