Syrian opposition figure bows out

A founding member of one of the main Syrian opposition groups has resigned, saying the political exiles trying to drum up support have hurt their own cause with their internal divisions.

Bassma Kodmani, spokeswoman for the Paris-based Syrian National Council, said she left the job in order to co-ordinate better with the rebel forces inside Syria and help in the humanitarian aid effort.

She would not elaborate on the internal divisions, but said she hoped the opposition groups would make a united appeal for aid.

Little tangible has come from Europe or the US, despite public support for President Bashar Assad’s ousting, because many Western officials do not want to get caught up in an opposition power struggle.