4.30pm GMT

Prominent opposition figure Bassma Kodmani is backing the new Syrian National Initiative [SNI] and insists the new body will not undermine the Syrian National Council.

Kodmani, who resigned as spokeswoman for the SNC in the summer, said SNC's concerned about the new organisation were unfolded.

Speaking to the Guardian she said: "The Syrian National Council should play a central part of the new political authority. All groups currently represented on the council will be represented on the new authority."

Kodmani has been involved in drawing up plans for the new group, but does intend to serve on it. She confirmed that the idea for the SNI was being led by Riad Seif. But she insisted that a leader had not yey been decided. "Riad Seif is leading the process, but the group will decide who will be leader, once they come together," she said.

Former prime minister Riayd Hijab has also been touted as a possible leader.

Kodmani said: "Riayd Hijab is full supportive of the group and is involved in process ... There are strongly legitimate figures who are leading the process."

On Wednesday US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said: "We have recommended names and organisations that we believe should be included in any leadership structure."

Kodmani said it was wrong to suggest that the US or any other government was involved in selecting the new council. She insisted the personnel of the group would be selected by Syrians.

She said: "Foreign powers have not been involved in nominations. The authority would selected by Syrians. It is a completely Syrian process. Names have not been designated, only groups and organisation which should be represented have been proposed."

Kodmani said it was probably too early to base the new council inside Syria.

"It depends how things develop on the ground. Ideally it should be inside Syria, but that is premature at this stage," she said.