Syria opposition coalition chief Moaz al-Khatib resigns

The leader of Syria’s opposition National Coalition Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib has resigned from his post in protest against the institutional limitations of the foreign-backed body.

Khatib issued a statement on Sunday, saying that he had promised to resign if what he called certain red lines were reached. He did not provide any further explanation.

“I announce my resignation from the National Coalition, so that I can work with a freedom that cannot possibly be had in an official institution,” Khatib said in a statement published on Sunday on his Facebook page.

Khatib, however, said that he would continue to serve the opposition’s cause outside of the “the official institutions.”

His surprise resignation came days after Syria’s opposition coalition elected Ghassan Hitto as prime minister of the so-called opposition interim government.

He had reportedly wanted to quit for some time, objecting to an interim premiership.

Khatib’s media advisor said that he quit over the international community’s reluctance to help Syria’s opposition due to fear of terrorism.

There are also reports suggesting that Khatib has been under pressure to quit since he said he is open to talks with the Syrian government.