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Western-backed Syrian opposition leader meets UAE officials, vows to reorganize forces

Associated Press
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Hadi Bahra, chief of the Syrian National Coalition opposition group, gives a press conference at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. He has said the Syrian Coalition group stands ready and willing to partner with the international community to defeat the Islamic State group and to fight against the Bashar Assad's government. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (The Associated Press)

Hadi Bahra, chief of the Syrian National Coalition opposition group, gives a press conference at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Bahra has said the Syrian Coalition group stands ready and willing to partner with the international community to defeat the Islamic State group and to fight against the Bashar Assad's government. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (The Associated Press)

Hadi Bahra, chief of the Syrian National Coalition opposition group, gives a press conference at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. He has said the Syrian Coalition group stands ready and willing to partner with the international community to defeat the Islamic State group and to fight against the Bashar Assad's government. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (The Associated Press)

The head of the main Western-backed Syrian opposition movement is seeking support in the United Arab Emirates for the group's war-battered rebel fighters.

The Free Syrian Army has been marred by defections and divisions. Its fighters are engaged in a two-front war against Islamic State fighters and Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces.

Syrian National Coalition leader Hadi Bahra said Sunday that a plan is in place to reorganize and restructure the Free Syrian Army. He says the goal is to bring these fighters more effectively under the political leadership of the Syrian National Coalition.

Bahra made the remarks after meeting with the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash in Abu Dhabi. The UAE says it's ready to join an international coalition against Islamic State fighters.