Western powers have said the defection of Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab is a sign that the regime of President Bashar al-Assad is crumbling.
The White House said the momentum was now with the opposition, while France said the Assad government was “doomed”.
Hijab, the most senior Syrian figure to defect, on Monday denounced Syria’s “terrorist regime” and said he was joining the revolution.
His whereabouts are unknown, although reports say he may head to Qatar. (BBC)