Syrian opposition coalition meets to choose prime minister

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Syria's opposition coalition met in Istanbul on Monday to choose their first prime minister, tasked with running daily life in large swathes of territory freed from regime control but mired in chaos and poverty.

A former Syrian agriculture minister, an economist and a communications executive lead the race ahead of a vote here by the umbrella Syrian National Coalition that could change the course of Syria's civil war.

The opposition premier's first task would be to appoint an interim government, which would be based inside parts of Syria freed from the control of Damascus.

While it would boost the opposition's credibility, a rebel government would reduce chances of dialogue with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.