Former Syrian PM Claims Assad’s Regime On Verge Of Collapse

The former Prime Minister of Syria, who defected ten days ago, has claimed that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is on the verge of collapse and controls less than one-third of the country.

Riyad Hijab, who became the most senior Syrian official to abandon Assad and is now in Amman, Jordan, has urged the Syrian military to stop supporting the president.

“I assure you, from my experience and former position, that the regime is collapsing, spiritually and financially, as it escalates militarily,” Hijab said in his first public remarks since switching sides.

“It [the Assad regime] no longer controls more than 30 percent of Syrian territory. So let the shining revolution be completed.”

Hijab said that Assad’s remaining loyalists should follow the examples set last year by Arab nations which revolted against long-entrenched dictators.

“Syria is full of honorable officials and military leaders who are waiting for the chance to join the revolution,” he said.

“I urge the [Syrian] army to follow the example of Egypt’s and Tunisia’s armies: take the side of people.”