The Syrian ambassador to Iraq, Nawah al-Fares, has defected from President Bashar al-Assad’s government, declaring that he has joined “the ranks of the revolution of the Syrian people”.
Speaking on a video statement posted on Facebook, Fares is the first senior diplomat to quit the government.
There has been no comment from Damascus or Baghdad and the White House was unable to confirm the defection, reported Reuters on Wednesday.
A veteran of Assad’s rule, Fares had also held senior positions under the late president Hafez al-Assad.
His eastern hometown of Deir al-Zor has been the scene of violent offensives by Assad’s military forces.
Fares’ defection could be a major set-back for Assad as he tries to convince the international community that he is conducting a legitimate defence campaign against foreign-backed armed groups, or ‘terrorists’ trying to overthrow his government.
Assad slams foreign support for ‘terrorists’ (09 Jul 2012)
