Former Syrian leader Bashar al Assad has issued his first statement since the fall of his regime.
In a social media post, he said he had planned to keep fighting rebel forces before Russia evacuated him.
The comments, the first in public since his regime was toppled more than a week ago, were made on the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel.
From eye doctor to dictator – the rise and fall of Assad
In pictures: Syrians celebrate end of Assad
The statement said he left Damascus for Russia on 8 December – “a day after the fall” of the city, adding: “At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refugee.
“The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.”
Assad left the Syrian capital following a lightning offensive by anti-regime forces across the country – bringing his 24-year rule to an abrupt end.
He claimed he had remained in Damascus “carrying out my duties” until rebel forces made it into the city and only then, in coordination with Russian forces, was he moved to Moscow’s base in the coastal province of Latakia.
Assad claimed he had planned to keep fighting.
But as it emerged that his own forces had collapsed completely in the face of the rebel advance, Hmeimim airbase, where he was, came under attack by drones, he said.
A man holds up a baby next to a ‘revolutionary’ Syrian flag during a celebratory demonstration following the first Friday prayers since Assad’s ousting.
Pic: AP/Leo Correa)
“With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8th December,” he added.
His whereabouts, as well as those of his wife Asma and their three children, were initially unknown, until Russia said Assad had left Syria after negotiations with the rebel groups.
Assad also claimed that he had “never sought positions for personal gain” and instead considered himself “a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people”.
The statement also said it would soon provide a “detailed account of the events that unfolded” when time allowed.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
