US reiterates support to Syrian opposition

WASHINGTON - The US government on Monday reiterated its support to the Syrian opposition despite the recent resignation of opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib.

"It's important to underscore that leadership transitions are inevitable in any democratic process," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest at a news briefing.

"Khatib's announcement does not change the US policy of support for the Syrian opposition and the Syrian Opposition Coalition," he told reporters.

Earnest's remarks came after al-Khatib, head of the exiled Syrian opposition coalition, resigned on Sunday. The rather sudden resignation came a few days before the two-day Arab League summit starts in Qatar's Doha Tuesday, which is expected to focus on the Syrian crisis.

Al-Khatib was originally expected to fly to Doha with a delegation of the coalition as the legitimate representative of Syria in the summit at the invitation of the Arab League, which requires the coalition to form an executive body for gaining a seat.

Calling al-Khatib a "courageous and pragmatic" leader, Earnest said that the Syrian opposition has been "well served by his leadership."

But he also stressed: "The opposition to Assad's brutal rule is bigger than one person, and that movement will continue."