Rumours about the shooting of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, sparked by Arab and Israeli media reports on Saturday, remain unconfirmed.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has welcomed the surprise declaration by the top leader of the Syrian opposition that he would negotiate with members of President Bashar Assad's regime in an effort to end the civil war.

Activist preacher Moaz al-Khatib is the only candidate to head a new Syrian opposition umbrella group which factions trying to bring down president Bashar al Assad agreed to form yesterday, a delegate involved in choosing the leader said.