Syrian opposition leader steps down

Syria's opposition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib has resigned from the National Coalition, his spokesman said.

A picture taken on March 19, 2013 shows Syria's main opposition National Coalition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib speaking at a Syrian opposition meeting in Istanbul. Khatib has resigned from the National Coalition, a dissident group recognised by dozens of states and organisations as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people, he said in a statement published on March 24, 2013 on his Facebook page. - AFP

'I announce my resignation from the National Coalition, so that I can work with a freedom that cannot possibly be had in an official institution,' Khatib said a statement on his Facebook page.

Spokesman Mohamed Ali told Al Jazeera the resignation followed Saturday's meeting with the European Union, 'which resulted in achieving nothing'.

The announcement comes days after Ghassan Hitto was chosen as a rebel prime minister in Istanbul. His election sparked protest from other members of the coalition.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov earlier said that Khatib was expected to arrive in Moscow for talks.

At a security conference in Munich in February, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed the invitation for Khatib to visit Moscow.

Syria's opposition coalition later denied the plans.