The rapid rise of hard-line Sunni Muslim groups like the Nusra Front -- some of which have seen their ranks swelled by foreign jihadi fighters -- is a trend that makes Jouejati and other more secular revolutionaries deeply uncomfortable.

CNN: How Islamists are gaining ground in Syria

It traced radical Sunni Muslim activities in non-Muslim countries to the "jihadi-Salafi" ideology, better known as Wahhabism, created in Saudi Arabia and supported by major extremist resources in Pakistan (the jihadist movement of Mawdudi) and Egypt (the Muslim Brotherhood).

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: CAIR vs. the NYPD

Mr Buti was a Sunni Muslim - the majority sect in Syria, who have led the uprising against Mr Assad, who is an Alawite - but had been a vocal supporter of the president.

BBC: Syria mosque blast: Pro-Assad cleric among dozens dead