Syria's main opposition bloc to restructure

PARIS - Syria's main opposition bloc will restructure itself in Qatar next week to seek fresh impetus, Syrian National Council leader Abdulbaset Sieda said on Wednesday, after months of criticism that it is too fractious and influenced by Islamists.

Sieda, speaking in Paris, also said the SNC reorganization would precede crunch talks in the Qatari capital Doha with other opponents of President Bashar Assad aimed at creating a Syrian transitional government.

Western and Arab countries that have called for Assad's removal are keen to improve cooperation among those trying to dislodge him, including the Istanbul-based SNC.

But the mainly-exiled political groups within the SNC have often been at odds with each other, and have not always agreed with rebel fighters or other political opposition movements operating within Syria, such as the Free Syrian Army, led by defected military officers.

"We want to create this government as quickly as possible, but speed doesn't mean rushing it," Sieda told reporters after being questioned by members of the French parliament.