Head of Syria opposition government sacked

The Qatar-backed head of the Syrian opposition's interim government was sacked, under pressure from Saudi Arabia, once again exposing the sharp divisions between the opposition's main backers. Since the National Coalition was created in late 2012, rivalries between Riyadh and Doha have consistently undermined the group, which acts as the main opposition body. ‘The Coalition's General Assembly has relieved Ahmad Tohme, head of the interim government, of his functions, after a dawn vote,’ said Samir Nashar, veteran dissident and Coalition member. Sixty-six Coalition members voted for Tohme's dismissal, while 35 voted for him to stay in his post. A replacement will be named in the coming weeks. Tohme was named head of the opposition's interim government 10 months ago. The vote was held in Istanbul after a meeting that ran through Sunday and Monday. Nashar said Tohme was sacked ‘for political reasons, but also because of his management’ of the interim body, according to AFP.