Syrian opposition convene to elect new leader

A total of 114 key members of the Syrian opposition coalition met here in Istanbul on Thursday in a bid to elect a new presidential committee. Sources from the opposition told Xinhua that candidates for the presidency included Ahmad Jarba, who has connection with Saudi Arabia, and Mustafa Sabbagh, the Qatari-backed secretary general of the coalition. A statement from the coalition said that it has expanded to 114 members, representing a broad spectrum of individuals from political groups, revolutionary movements and military personnel. This is the first meeting since its expansion of the opposition coalition, which is under pressure to name a new leader. The former leader of the Syrian National Coalition quit several months ago over disagreement on potential talks with Damascus government. The Syrian conflict is an ongoing between forces loyal to the Syrian government and those seeking to oust it. The conflict began on March 15, 2011 and has killed more than 90,000 people.