Syrian opposition coalition to open its office in Istanbul

Ankara: The Syrian opposition coalition — National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SNCROF) — will soon open its office in Istanbul, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey recognised the SNCROF as “the sole legitimate representative of the people of Syria” 15 November. [caption id=“attachment_534003” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Members of the Syrian opposition coalition. Reuters[/caption] “The office will be opened in the near future, and we will stay in close contact with its head as a recognised representative of the Syrian people and opposition,” Davutoglu said Friday after a meeting with Moaz al-Khatib, the head of the new opposition coalition. The coalition, formed at talks in Qatar, claims to represent 80 percent of all opponents of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Davutoglu reiterated Turkey’s support of the Syrian opposition both in Syria and on the international arena. The Assad regime has been engaged in a bloody-conflict with anti-government rebel forces since March 2011. According to UN estimates, around 30,000 people have been killed since the violence began. IANS