Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab Defects to Jordan
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LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab has defected to Jordan with his family, his spokesman announced on Monday.
In a statement read by his spokesman Mohammed el-Etri on Al Jazeera, Hijab said, “I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution. I announce that I am from today a soldier in this blessed revolution.”
El-Etri told Al Jazeera the defection had been planned for months and was carried out in collaboration with the Free Syrian Army.
The news comes after Syrian state TV reported Hijab had been fired from his post after assuming the position just two months ago.
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