Syrian opposition elects new leader

Moscow: Syria`s main opposition group, the Syrian National Council (SNC), has elected Kurdish activist Abdel Basset Sieda as its new leader.

According to Al Jazeera, the 56-year-old Sieda was elected at a meeting in Istanbul Saturday.

He succeeds Burhan Ghalioun, who had presided over the the exiled SNC since its inception in August last year. Sieda was the sole candidate for the three-month presidency.

Opposition activists said Sieda`s election might help encourage more Kurds, who make up about 10 percent of Syria`s 21-million population, to join the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
The UN says around 9,000 people have died since the revolt against Assad`s 11-year rule began last year.

IANS