"The failure to broaden the coalition, in which Qatar and a bloc largely influenced by the
Muslim
Brotherhood has been playing the driving role, could undermine Saudi
Arabian support for the revolt and raise the specter of a rivalry among Gulf
powers that could further weaken the opposition.
Its Western backers have pressured the Coalition to resolve its divisions and
expand to include more liberals to counter domination by Islamists. The
plan also had support from Saudi Arabia, which had been
preparing to assume a bigger role in coalition politics and has been uneasy
about the rise of Qatar's influence, coalition insiders said.
"Saudi Arabia before this meeting was on the verge of throwing its weight
behind the revolt. It would have made sense for Qatar to take a role in line
with its size and let Saudi Arabia take a lead role. Sabbagh, and apparently
Qatar, got their way, but at what expense?" (thanks Basim)
