Syria's PM says ready to hand over power peacefully

The head of the current Syrian government, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, has expressed readiness to transfer power in the republic peacefully after Syrian rebels entered Damascus.

The Prime Minister's video message was published on Facebook, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“We extend our hand to opponents who have confirmed that they will not harm anyone who is part of our homeland <...>. We are ready to work with them in a way that provides them with all possible assistance and gradually hand over government affairs by securing state facilities,” he said.

The prime minister also said he would not leave Damascus, calling for the preservation of public institutions. He intends to continue working to ensure the functioning of public institutions amid developments in the republic.

Late on December 7, the Syrian Arab Army withdrew from the city of Homs, where militants took over the city and other towns in western Syria. For the most part, no clashes were recorded before and during the withdrawal of Syrian Arab Army forces and the eventual takeover by militants of Syrian towns.

Reuters reported, citing two senior Syrian military officials, that al-Assad left Damascus to an unknown locations, later reporting that militants had entered the city.

By Khagan Isayev