NBC News — The fractious Syrian opposition put differences aside to rally behind a new leader and new coalition. After several days of arguing in Qatar, representatives for rebel fighters, dissidents as well as ethnic and religious minorities agreed sunday to join a new assembly which can form a government in exile.

Mouaz al-Khatib, a reformist cleric from Damascus, has been elected as its president. The various Syrian groups were urged by the U.S. and Arab allies to form the new assembly. The coalition will have to overcome mutual suspicions and infighting that have plagued the 20 month long uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.