Opposition in bid to form rival Assad government

Syria’s main opposition coalition began a push yesterday to form an interim government to provide services to people living in parts of the country now controlled by rebel forces.

The effort is the most serious yet by the forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad to establish a rival administration and bring together all the factions working to topple his government.

Two previous attempts to form an interim government failed because of divisions within the group, the Syrian National Coalition. Some members said before the meeting in Istanbul yesterday that it was unclear whether they would agree this time. Many have also complained of insufficient international support.