Islamists Reject Syrian Opposition Bloc

Syrian opposition leaders, who have been seeking recognition since forming a unified national coalition in Doha on Nov. 11, are being recognized as “legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people,” but were rejected by Islamist groups in the country. The EU said Monday it wants to support the group in “relations with the international community," but rebel Islamist groups say they want a religious state. "[We] unanimously reject the conspiratorial project called the National Coalition and announce our consensus to establish an Islamic state" in Syria, a spokesperson for the Syrian Islamist rebel factions said.