Syria's opposition PM resigns

The prime minister of Syria's opposition government resigned Monday after failing to form a government during the four months since his election. In an online statement, Ghassan Hitto said "I will not continue in my capacity as prime minister tasked with leading the interim government." He stressed, however, that "I will continue working for the interests of the revolution and toward achieving its objectives." Hitto was elected by the main opposition group in exile, the Syrian National Coalition, to serve as the first prime minister of the country's opposition. The U.S.-educated figure was elected on March 18 in Turkey, which has been instrumental in backing Syria's opposition. The interim government was supposed to operate in what the opposition calls "liberated" areas in northern Syria, mainly Aleppo and Idlib. But the Syrian army's advancement thwarted it from being established on the ground. Hitto's resignation also came on the heels of the Syrian National Coalition's election of a new leader, about which he said his resignation aimed to "open the way for the new leadership of the coalition to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with its political vision." Jarba, the new opposition leader is a tribal figure from the eastern Hasaka province and is seen as having a close connection with Saudi Arabia. He defeated a strong rival, businessman Mustafa Sabbagh who is supported by Qatar. The Syrian opposition has long been divided due to the conflicting views of the Saudi-backed bloc, the Muslim Brotherhood bloc and members backed by Qatar, according to local observers. The Syrian conflict is ongoing between forces loyal to the Syrian government and those seeking to oust it. The conflict began in March 2011 and has since killed more than 90,000 people. ecretary-General Salaheddine Mezouar