SYRIA: Burhan Ghalioun, former leader of the Syrian opposition umbrella group, the SNC, receives a warm welcome on his return to Idlib province

Record ID: 281137

  • Title: SYRIA: Burhan Ghalioun, former leader of the Syrian opposition umbrella group, the SNC, receives a warm welcome on his return to Idlib province
  • Date: 27th June 2012
  • Summary: UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION IN IDLIB PROVINCE, SYRIA (JUNE 26, 2012) (AMATEUR VIDEO OBTAINED BY REUTERS) BURHAN GHALIOUN, FORMER LEADER OF THE SYRIAN OPPOSITION UMBRELLA GROUP, THE SYRIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL, BEING EMBRACED BY SUPPORTERS IN A ROOM GHALIOUN AND SUPPORTERS POSING IN A GROUP FOR CAMERA AND CHANTING, ONE SUPPORTER HOLDING UP A GUN GHALIOUN DRINKING A GLASS OF WATER
  • Embargoed: 12th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAAV81TBHW5EZXHC7WQ16Q1M768
  • Story Text: Amateur video obtained by Reuters shot on Tuesday (June 26) shows images of Burhan Ghalioun, the former leader of the main Syrian opposition umbrella group, the SNC, being welcomed by supporters on his return to Idlib province, Syria.
    Ghalioun is the most senior Syrian opposition figure to enter Syria since a pro-democracy Arab Spring uprising sweeped through the country last year.
    Ghalioun, a liberal opposition figure, presided over the main Syrian opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Council (SNC), since its formation in August of last year until his replacement by Kurdish activist Abdelbasset Sida on Sunday June 10.
    Ghalioun, an exile living in Paris, had come under criticism for having had his presidency constantly renewed when the SNC was supposed to represent a democratic alternative to the authoritarian rule of President Basher al-Assad.
    The Muslim Brotherhood, the most influential player in the council, had initially indicated it wanted Ghalioun to remain president, but then opted to support Sida after opposition activists inside Syria raised objections to Ghalioun following a third renewal of his term last month.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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