Cairo: Islamist fighters in the second most important Syrian city of Aleppo, battling for a revolution, refuse to accept the newly formed Western-supported opposition coalition.
The rebels were seen in an internet video, denouncing what they called “the conspiratorial project” and stated they aim to establish an “Islamist state” in the country.
They say the fighters are least interested with the new grouping.
The video portrays an unknown spokesman chairing a long table with at least 20 others, in front of a black Islamist flag (Al-Raya). He lists some 13 armed Islamist groups rejecting the opposition coalition.
“We are the representatives of the fighting formations in Aleppo and we declare our rejection of the conspiratorial project, the so-called national alliance,” he says. “We have unanimously agreed to urgently establish an Islamic state.”
Meanwhile, the new leader of opposition coalition Moaz al-Khatib promptly responded to the video playing down its significance and said, “We will keep in contact with them for more cooperation in the interest of the Syrian people.”
Earlier, several countries and political unions had acknowledged the new coalition, known as the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. It was formed on 11 November in Qatar.
The EU recognised the new coalition on Monday as “legitimate representatives” of the Syrians, though not recognizing it fully.
France has already backed the group as “sole representative” of Syrian people.
Turkey and the six Gulf states have also given full recognition to the group.
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