Rebels claim they have seized most of the south as their lightning offensive threatens to end Bashar al Assad’s 24-year rule, as Reuters news agency reports that two army officials have said the Syrian president has left Damascus.
Biden keeping eye on ‘extraordinary events’
Joe Biden and his team are monitoring “extraordinary events” and are in touch with regional partners, the White House has just said.
As we reported earlier president-elect Donald Trump said the US should not get involved in the conflict.
“Syria is a mess,” he posted on his social media site Truth Social, adding the country is “not our friend”.
“THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED,” he added in capital letters.
Assad statues pulled down by cheering crowds
As the lightning rebel offensive appears to reach its endgame, two images may last long in the mind.
The assault this weekend has focused on the capital Damascus and the key western city of Homs.
It was clear their progress was rapid when protesters brought down a statue of Bashar al Assad’s late father in a suburb a few miles from the centre of Damascus on Saturday – see our 3.06pm post.
In Homs, where rebels say they have taken full control, crowds appear to have toppled another statue – again of his father Hafez al Assad – in scenes shared on social media.
Syrian PM says he is ready to hand over in peaceful transition
Syria’s prime minister has said he is ready to hand over the government to the opposition in a peaceful transition.
Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said in a video statement the government is ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government.
“I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country,” Mr Jalali said.
He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property.
He did not comment on reports Bashar al Assad has fled Damascus.
Chants of ‘freedom’ and ‘Assad is gone’ in Damascus and Homs
People in Damascus, in cars and on foot, have congregated at a main square in the capital, waving and chanting “freedom”, according to eyewitness reports.
Calls of “God is great” have also rung out from mosques.
In Homs, thousands of residents have poured on to the streets after the army withdrew from the central city, dancing and chanting “Assad is gone, Homs is free” and “Long live Syria and down with Bashar al Assad”.