Hardline rebel groups in northern Syria reject the newly-formed opposition bloc and say they want to establish an Islamic state in the country, according to a video posted online on Monday.
"Fighting squads of Aleppo city and province unanimously reject the conspiratorial project called the National Coalition (of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces). We announce our keenness to establish an Islamic state," an unidentified speaker said in the video, dpa reported.
He said the groups making the call included the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front and the brigades of Ahrar al-Sham and Liwa al-Tawhid, who are active in Aleppo and Damascus.
"We reject any external coalitions or councils imposed on us," he said, sitting at the head of a long conference table with more than 30 other men, with a black Islamist flag on the wall behind him.