A four-man delegation of the Syrian opposition today took the nation’s seat at an Arab League summit in a significant diplomatic boost for the forces fighting President Assad’s regime.
Led by Mouaz al-Khatib, the former president of the Syrian National Coalition, the delegation was invited to the two-day meeting by the Emir of Qatar. The Syrian flag was replaced with the one being used by the opposition.
The decision enraged Damascus. The official daily al-Thawra said: “The League has handed Syria’s stolen seat to bandits and thugs.” It came at a time of disarray within the National Coalition following the resignation of its head, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, on Sunday. However, Mr Khatib is attending the summit and has said he still intends to give his speech there.
Both Mr Khatib and the newly-elected interim prime minister Ghassan Hitto were applauded by Arab leaders when they stepped forward to take Syria’s official seat.
Meanwhile, Syrian activists said today that government forces had seized a neighbourhood in the central city of Homs that was a symbol of opposition. Rebels were forced from Baba Amr after two weeks of clashes, shelling and air strikes that destroyed many homes. The Syrian state news agency said that government forces had “restored security and stability” to the district.
