 |
| Manaf Tlas (r) trained at military academy with President Bashar al-Assad |
A Syrian general close to President Assad has defected, delivering "a hard blow for the regime", French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said.
Brig Gen Manaf Tlas fled Syria via Turkey, his family confirmed.
Mr Fabius said his departure showed Mr Assad's entourage was beginning to realise the regime was unsustainable.
Rumours of the possible defection last March proved false. If now confirmed, it would be the highest-level defection since Syria's unrest began.
Pro-government website Syriasteps said earlier Gen Tlas had made an "escape", adding the move was "insignificant".
Brig Gen Tlas, believed to be in his mid-40s, is a commander of a unit of the elite Republican Guard. As a young man he attended military training with President Assad.
No comments:
Post a Comment