Ghassan Hitto, a former information technology executive who until recently had lived in the US, has been elected as the interim prime minister of Syria.

Fifty-year-old Hitto received 35 votes, beating his closest rival, former Agriculture Minister Assad Mustafat by three votes.

After the announcement of the results, Hitto thanked the revolutionaries of Syria, and assured that the interim government was with the people of the country.

Speaking to reporters, Hitto said, "I give great thanks to the heroes and revolutionaries of the Syrian people. We are with you."

Hitto added that the new interim government would work to put an end to the four-decade-old rule of Assad family. He also stressed that his government would not negotiate with President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Mr. Hitto, who had immigrated to the US while still a teenager, played an active role in volunteer efforts to assist Syrians whose lives had been overturned by the uprising against Assad's rule.

Hitto is a naturalized American citizen, and all of his four children were born in the US. He achieved degrees from Purdue University in mathematics and computer science.

Many Syrians are now hopeful that Hitto will use his position to bring much needed international aid into the beleaguered country.