DAMASCUS – After ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, rebels announced imposing a curfew in the capital Damascus.
The Russian Foreign Ministry revealed that the ousted president has left Syria while denying any role in negotiations. The Ministry did not mention his destination.
Russia urged all parties involved to avoid the use of violence and resolve issues through political means.
In a statement, the Ministry said that Russia was in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. Russia’s military bases in Syria had been put on high alert.
Earlier on Sunday, Assad flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination.
As per some media reports, Assad died in a plane crash while trying to leave the country. The flight took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was taken by rebels. The aircraft initially flew towards Syria’s coastal region but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map.
Last week, rebels seized northern Aleppo in a surprise attack before marching into a succession of cities.
Rebels strolled through the palaces of Assad following his ouster, wandering from room to room, posing for photographs, and some taking items of furniture or ornaments.
The rebels dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the region, key allies who propped up Assad during critical moments in the civil war.
The rebel coalition said it is continuing work to complete the transfer of power in Syria to a transitional governing body with full executive powers.
