National Coalition elects new president

 Istanbul (Zaman Alwasl) - The Western-backed Syrian opposition group the National Coalition elected Mr. Hadi al-Bahra as its new president, Zaman Alwasl reporter said.

A three-day meeting in Istanbul ended by electing Democratic bloc's candidate al-Bahra with 62 votes against his rival Muwaffaq Nairabiyeh who won 42 votes.

Veteran Kurdish dissident Dr. Abdul Hakim Bashar was elected as president deputy as total number of voters reached 113.

Former president Ahmad Jarba, who was elected in July of last year, has already served two six-month terms — the maximum period allowed by the coalition.