Members of a Syrian opposition body set up in Saudi Arabia last week chose former prime minister Riad Hijab as the chief coordinator, Al-Shaeq Al Awsat newspaper reported.

Hijab has secured 24 votes out of a total 34 votes during a meeting held in Riyadh.

According to a participant in the meeting, UN Syrian envoy Staffan de Mistura will set the number of negotiators from the opposition, who will take part in talks with the Syrian government.

Hijab defected from Syrian President Bashar al Assad's government in 2012.

Sources: MENA