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Syrian opposition leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib resigns Syrian opposition leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib resigns
(35 minutes later)
The leader of the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC), Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, has resigned.The leader of the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC), Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, has resigned.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Mr Khatib said he was leaving the job as he wanted to work with more freedom than an official institution allowed.In a statement on his Facebook page, Mr Khatib said he was leaving the job as he wanted to work with more freedom than an official institution allowed.
He had promised the Syrian people he would resign if what he called certain red lines were reached, he said.He had promised the Syrian people he would resign if what he called certain red lines were reached, he said.
He appeared to criticise the world community for not doing enough to stop two years of bloodshed in Syria.He appeared to criticise the world community for not doing enough to stop two years of bloodshed in Syria.
His resignation comes a day after European Union foreign ministers failed to resolve their differences over whether to exempt Syrian rebels from an arms embargo.His resignation comes a day after European Union foreign ministers failed to resolve their differences over whether to exempt Syrian rebels from an arms embargo.
Mr Khatib, who was elected head of the SNC in November 2012, is seen as a respected and unifying figure in Syria.Mr Khatib, who was elected head of the SNC in November 2012, is seen as a respected and unifying figure in Syria.
"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," he said in the statement. But he caused controversy by offering talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, on condition that 160,000 prisoners were freed.
The opposition had previously insisted President Assad step down before any talks begin.
'Vicious regime'
"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," Mr Khatib said in the statement.
"For the past two years, we have been slaughtered by an unprecedentedly vicious regime, while the world has looked on," Mr Khatib added."For the past two years, we have been slaughtered by an unprecedentedly vicious regime, while the world has looked on," Mr Khatib added.
"All the destruction of Syria's infrastructure, the detention of tens of thousands of people, the forced flight of hundreds of thousands and other forms of suffering have been insufficient for the international community to take a decision to allow the people to defend themselves.""All the destruction of Syria's infrastructure, the detention of tens of thousands of people, the forced flight of hundreds of thousands and other forms of suffering have been insufficient for the international community to take a decision to allow the people to defend themselves."
BBC Middle East analyst Sebastian Usher says a key reason for the international community's concern is anxiety over divisions within the Syrian opposition itself, and Mr Khatib's action may only intensify those concerns.