Syrian opposition elects interim PM

The main opposition group in Syria has elected an interim prime minister at its general assembly.

The move comes as the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) seeks to firm up its standing as a viable political alternative.

The SNC voted Ahmad Saleh Touma, a dentist and longtime political activist, to lead the group.

According to news24, Touma's election comes as the United States and Russia have agreed to a deal to secure and destroy Syria's chemical weapons.

The report said that Touma will be charged with organising governance in parts of Syria controlled by disparate rebel factions.

He later said in a speech that they will work on returning Syria to a state that respects human life and rights, the report added.