New Stumble for Syria Opposition: Hitto Resigns

The Prime Minister of the so-called Syria’s interim government established by the opposition group Syrian National Council, Ghassan Hitto, offered his resignation after he 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, nearly four months after his appointment.

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”.

His resignation comes two days after secular dissident Ahmad Assi 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.

Hitto, who is close to the opposition’s extremist ranks and whose candidacy was backed by Qatar, was unable to work because of divisions within the Coalition.