Western-backed Syrian opposition elects Khoja as president
14:47, 05/01/2015, Monday
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Khaled Khoja, the former Turkey representative of the Syrian opposition bloc, wins against ex-secretary-general Nasr el-Hariri by 56 votes to 50
The National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, also known as the Syrian National Coalition, has elected Khaled Khoja as its new president.
Syria’s main opposition group said in a statement that Khoja won against former secretary-general Nasr el-Hariri by 56 votes to 50. Hisam Merve was elected as the coalition's new vice president in the Sunday vote.
Khoca, the founder of the Mertip Healthcare Group, has previously served as the Coalition’s representative in Turkey.
A vote for the vacant post of secretary-general was postponed, as both candidates, Yahya Mektebi and Cevvad Ebu Hatab, could not secure more than 50 percent support.
Syria’s main opposition group said in a statement that Khoja won against former secretary-general Nasr el-Hariri by 56 votes to 50. Hisam Merve was elected as the coalition's new vice president in the Sunday vote.
Khoca, the founder of the Mertip Healthcare Group, has previously served as the Coalition’s representative in Turkey.
A vote for the vacant post of secretary-general was postponed, as both candidates, Yahya Mektebi and Cevvad Ebu Hatab, could not secure more than 50 percent support.
Sources say Khoja has good ties with regional countries. He is more pragmatic than his fellows what makes him able to make progress and reforms inside the opposition group.
The Istanbul-based Syrian opposition coalition’s General Assembly concluded its 18th session on Sunday, where it discussed the proposals by UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura and the results of the Coalition’s recent visits to Cairo and Riyadh.
By 2013, at least 20 states and international organizations, including the U.S., Turkey, Germany, the EU and the Arab League, had recognized the Syrian National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
More than 190,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict between the Assad regime and opposition forces began in early 2011, according to UN figures published in August 2014.
By 2013, at least 20 states and international organizations, including the U.S., Turkey, Germany, the EU and the Arab League, had recognized the Syrian National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
More than 190,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict between the Assad regime and opposition forces began in early 2011, according to UN figures published in August 2014.