Azernews.Az

The Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali has said the country should hold free elections in an interview with Al-Arabiya that has been cited by the Reuters news agency, Azernews reports.

He also mentioned having been in contact with rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani regarding the transitional period.

This morning, Al-Arabiya quoted the prime minister saying his last contact with Bashar al-Assad was "yesterday evening" and that he has no information on Assad's current whereabouts.

As a reminder, in the early hours of the morning we brought you details of an address the prime minister made via social media.

He said that he was ready to help do what is best for the people.

****10:29

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and fled from the capital city of Damascus to an unknown location, Syria TV reported, citing unnamed sources, Azernews reports.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) war monitor also said a private plane that left Damascus airport was most likely carrying Assad. Government troops at the airport were demobilized after its departure, SOHR added.

Syrian state TV has broadcast a video from Syria’s rebel factions saying President Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown and all jail detainees freed.

In their first televised announcement since their rapid and surprise offensive, they called on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of “the free Syrian state”

Assad left Damascus shortly after the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group confirmed it had entered the capital. Al Jazeera Arabic, citing unnamed sources, reported that the rebels have taken control of the Public Radio and TV building in the city.