LOC21:51
18:51 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- The US welcomed Monday election of Syrian
coalition prime minister Ahmad Tumah, saying it "looks forward to working with
him and with his team."
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters "we are
hopeful that his election will bring greater cohesion to the opposition under
the leadership coalition president (Ahmad) Jarba."
"A strong and unified opposition is essential to prepare for a negotiated
political solution in which Bashar Al-Assad steps down and to achieve a new
transition government," she stressed.
She added "we look to both the prime minister and the coalition to be
inclusive of all Syrian communities as the legitimate representatives of the
Syrian people going forward."
Tumah was named prime minister during meetings of the opposition forces in
Istanbul two days ago. (end)
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