Opposition re- elects Jarba as National Coalition leader

Many opponents and rebels feel the group has failed to represent them and their beliefs

Syria’s main opposition National Coalition re- elected Ahmad Jarba as its leader during a general assembly meeting in Istanbul on Sunday, the coalition said.

Jarba won 65 votes, beating his only rival Riad Hijab — the best- known defector from the regime of President Bashar Al Assad — by 13 votes. Jarba, who is seen as close to key rebel backer Saudi Arabia, was first elected to head the coalition in July, and will now lead the group for another six months.

His re- election comes at a sensitive time, less than three weeks away from slated peace talks in Switzerland that would bring rebels and regime representatives to the table.

According to council member and veteran dissident Samir

Jarba’s reelection comes at a sensitive time, less than three weeks away from slated peace talks in Switzerland

Nashar, “Ahmad Jarba does not want to go to Geneva”.

The coalition initially announced the names of three members chosen to share the vice presidency, but later said there would be a fresh vote for both that post and to elect a secretary- general.

Persuasion mission

It was expected that either powerful, Qatar- linked businessman Mustafa Al Sabbagh or the incumbent, Badr Jamous would be named to the latter post.

Born in 1969 in the northeastern city of Qamishli, on the border with Turkey, Jarba is a Sunni Muslim who has tried to convince Arab and Western nations to arm the rebels. In his six months as coalition leader, he has appeared more subdued than previous opposition chiefs who had higher profiles as veteran dissidents.

Jarba’s re- election comes deep into a crisis within the main opposition group, which is based outside Syria. Many opponents and rebels on the ground feel the coalition has failed to represent them.