BEIRUT, Rajab 20, 1433, Jun 10, 2012, SPA - Syria's main opposition group in exile, the Syrian National Council, has elected Abdulbaset Sieda, a 56-year-old activist who has been living in exile in Sweden for many years, as its new leader at a meeting in Turkey, a council statement said. Abdulbaset Sieda, was the only candidate to replace Burhan Ghalioun for the three-month presidency. He was elected unanimously during an SNC meeting Saturday night in Istanbul that stretched into early hours Sunday, according to a report of the Associated Press. The Paris-based Ghalioun, who had presided over the council since it was created last August, recently offered to step down. --SPA 11:37 LOCAL TIME 08:37 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1006137