Free Syrian Army fires military chief

The Syrian rebel coalition has fired its military chief over "difficulties" in its battle with the regime, including "errors and carelessness in combat".

The Free Syrian Army says it has fired Selim Idriss as its military chief, citing the "difficulties faced by the Syrian revolution" in its battle with the regime.

In a video broadcast on the internet, the rebel coalition said its military council had decided to replace Idriss with Abdel al-Ilah al-Bachir.

A source inside the Syrian opposition told AFP Idriss - who was appointed to the role in December 2012 - had faced criticism for failings on the battlefield.

These included "errors and carelessness in combat" and "poor distribution of weapons" among the rebels on the ground, the source said.

The Western-backed rebel Free Syrian Army was once the country's strongest armed opposition force is but now increasingly marginalised by Islamists.

It has been weakened by internal rifts and by competition from other rebel coalitions such as the Islamic Front, a powerful alliance formed last year that is now the largest rebel force with tens of thousands of fighters.