Sabra "was assigned today to carry out the functions of the head of the Coalition until elections for a new president," the Syrian National Council, said in a statement.

The announcement came a day after Khatib submitted his resignation for a second time, over what he called lack of enough action from the West and some Arab regimes.

Sabra, who until now led the Syrian National Council, will be the Coalition's caretaker leader until at least May 10, when the Coalition is scheduled to meet for leadership elections.

Sabra, who is a communist Christian member of the opposition, was detained once after eruption of the crisis in March 2011 for taking part in formation of the rebels’ coalition.

The opposition coalition in Syria which has turned to be a cover for massive bloodshed and terrorist attacks in the country for more than two years, on Sunday urged the international community to support them with “heavy weapons” to fight.