Syrian rebel groups reject authority of Western-backed coalition

In a joint statement, 13 rebel groups led by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front slammed the Turkey-based Syrian National Coalition, saying it no longer represents their interests.

The move reflects the lack of unity between the political opposition, based in exile, and the disparate rebel groups fighting president Bashar Assad’s regime. The statement also called on all those trying to topple Assad’s government to unite under a “clear Islamic framework”. The al-Qaida faction aspires to create an Islamic state.

It said the rebels do “not recognise” any future government formed outside Syria, insisting fighters should be represented by “those who suffered and took part in the sacrifices.”

Wednesday’s rebel announcement, carried by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, came almost two weeks after the SNC, the main Western-backed opposition coalition, in Turkey elected Ahmad Saleh Touma as interim prime minister.

Syrian rebels have been deeply divided and clashes between rival groups over the past months left hundreds of people dead, mostly in northern and eastern Syria. Al-Qaida gunmen have been on the offensive against members of the Free Syrian Army, though some of the groups that signed on to Wednesday’s statement also belong to the FSA umbrella.

Meanwhile, a team of UN chemical weapons arrived in Damascus to continue investigating “pending credible allegations” of the use of chemical weapons.

Britain is giving another £100m to tackle the humanitarian fallout from the conflict. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the injection – bringing the UK’s total commitment to £500m – showed the UK was “leading the charge.