President Assad flees Syria as rebels take over Damascus

President Bashar al-Assad has left Syria for a yet unknown destination after various rebel groups advanced rapidly towards the capital Damascus. By Sunday morning, the rebels had liberated the city, members of the former regime confirmed.

Videos on social media show people celebrating in the streets of Damascus. The airport is also under the control of the rebel groups. They overtook the parts of Syria under control of the Assad regime in about a week, mainly because the allies of Syria - Iran and Russia - are engaged in other conflicts and did not provide in support.

Prime minister Mohammad al-Jalali said he was ready to "cooperate" with any new "leadership" chosen by the people, saying he would be in his offices at the government headquarters on Sunday morning for any transfer of power procedure.

The commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the rebel offensive in Damascus, called on his fighters on Sunday not to approach public institutions, which remain under the control of the prime minister until an "official transfer".

_{Rebels in Damascus on Sunday morning | © PHOTO LOUAI BESHARA / AFP}