Syria's opposition ends 3-day meeting by fistfights, Turkish police intervene

Syria’s key opposition groups could not reach a settlement to end up the dilemma erupted over rebel chief dismissal two weeks ago, activists said.

The last 72-hour meeting in Istanbul between the National Coalition chief, Ahmad Jarba, and top field commanders of the FSA's Supreme Military Council, have ended up with fistfight. The brawl pushed the Turkish police to intervene to avoid any escalations, Zaman Alwasl source said.

The scuffle has erupted by the supporters of Coalition defence minister, Idriss rival, in response to accord says Mr. Asaad Moustafa, Interim Defence Minister, and the sacked rebel chief, Salim Idriss, should officially submit their resignations. And to make total restructuring to the Supreme Military Council (SMC), mainly Syrian army defectors, who oppose Idriss and were behind his ousting.

Analysts say the two points were in essence the demands of Idriss what makes the settlement a victory for the sacked chief.

Idriss has rejected his dismissal on February 19 in video statement, saying the whole chain of command needed a "total restructuring" - highlighting deep divisions in the opposition.

Idriss also lashed out at the Coalition defence minister, who reportedly backed his replacement by Brigadier General Abdel Ilah al-Bashir. He described Mustafa's decisions as "improvised and individual," according to his statemnet. 

 Several rebel leaders criticized Idriss dismissal, with some branding it an undemocratic "coup".

"We consider the removal of... Idriss an invalid, illegitimate decision," said a statement issued by all five top field commanders of the SMC, which Idriss had led from December 2012.