File photo of defected Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab speaking during a news conference in Amman
Defected Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab speaks during a news conference in Amman in this August 14, 2012 file photo. Hijab is running for the leadership of the Western-backed political opposition in a bid to make the fractious rebel movement more credible ahead of political peace talks. The Syrian National Coalition is seeking to strengthen its position ahead of talks dubbed 'Geneva 2' and scheduled for Jan. 22, as its rebel forces contend with attacks from groups linked to al Qaeda as well as a newly formed and increasingly aggressive Islamic Front. REUTERS/Majed Jaber/Files (JORDAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS ELECTIONS HEADSHOT)
Former Syrian PM runs for president of exiled political opposition
SYRIA-CRISIS/OPPOSITION:Former Syrian PM runs for president of exiled political opposition
US to support fight against al Qaeda in Iraq without troops -Kerry
US-IRAQ/ (UPDATE 2):UPDATE 2-US to support fight against al Qaeda in Iraq without troops -Kerry
Batuhan Murat Aygun, son of Turkish photojournalist Bunyamin Aygun, shout slogans as he marches with journalists during a demonstration in central Istanbul
Batuhan Murat Aygun (2nd L), son of Turkish photojournalist Bunyamin Aygun, shout slogans as he marches with journalists during a demonstration in central Istanbul January 5, 2014. According to local media, Bunyamin Aygun, a photojournalist working for Turkish daily newspaper Milliyet, was abducted by anti-Syrian government forces more than a month ago when he was on an assignment in northern Syria. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS MEDIA CIVIL UNREST)
Sniper fire kills one as clashes flare in Lebanon's Tripoli
SYRIA-CRISIS/LEBANON:Sniper fire kills one as clashes flare in Lebanon's Tripoli
Iraqi air force strikes city to try to eject al Qaeda
IRAQ-VIOLENCE/ANBAR:Iraqi air force strikes city to try to eject al Qaeda
Al Qaeda affiliate pull out of northern Syria strongholds
SYRIA-CRISIS/QAEDA:Al Qaeda affiliate pull out of northern Syria strongholds
A Free Syrian Army fighter rests in a safe house on a frontline in Old Aleppo
A Free Syrian Army fighter rests in a safehouse on a frontline in Old Aleppo January 5, 2014
Free Syrian Army fighters cheer during an anti-Syrian regime protest in Maarat Al-Nouman
Free Syrian Army fighters cheer during an anti-Syrian regime protest in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib, January 3, 2014. Picture taken January 3, 2014. REUTERS/Fadi Mashan (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS CONFLICT)