Syrian PM Defects – Joins Opposition

Russian TV spun the news a different way and said the PM was sacked: Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab has been sacked, state TV reported. His current whereabouts are unknown, and there are conflicting reports as to whether he has fled the country.

Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab announced today that he had defected and joined the opposition.

Reuters reported:

Syria’s Prime Minister Riyad Hijab has defected from President Bashar al-Assad’s administration and joined the opposition to his rule, a spokesman said on Monday in a statement broadcast on Al Jazeera television.

“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,” Hijab said in a statement read in his name by the spokesman.

The spokesman said Hijab was in a safe place.

1. 

   #1 August 6, 2012 at 6:24 am

   Limousine Barry commented:

   This Hijab guy could be useful. He would make a good Czar of Street Riots. He seems to know his rioters… and he knows when to change sides.

   Axelrod, find him a position in my campaign until a formal Czar appointment can be made. He could be useful in SEUI as an enforcer. I don’t have time for Middle East diplomacy. I have another $40,000.00 per plate fund raiser to attend!

   My campaign sucks but David Axelrod has a new scam for my California Donors. It’s a version of the Pin The Blame On The Donkey scam. I cannot go into details at this time. But, I can say it’s a scheme to place the blame of my street mob on someone else. I’ve said too much. Good day.

2. 

   #2 August 6, 2012 at 6:49 am

   Richard Aubrey commented:

   These big shooters in Assad’s government or military seem to be able to defect and end up someplace else without a hair mussed and with all their luggage.
   Among other things, it must mean they have their connections to the rebels. Slide out from the Assad machine without anybody noticing and into the rebels’ camp without being shot or, possibly, even shot at. Nice work, guys.
   What happens to their families? Forget it, they’ll be okay? Assad’s boys won’t torture them to death? The mobs won’t? They’re already out? I used to work with AFS exchange student programs. When we had a PRC lady come on the adult program as a teacher, her family was required to stay in China to prevent her defection.
   Seems to me that if an Assad guy’s family is already in Riyadh, or Monaco, or Gstaad, he might bear watching. Which is to say, extra effort to see he doesn’t skate.
   But they do.
   Strange.

3. 

   #3 August 6, 2012 at 6:54 am

   ahem commented:

   He’s trying to save his own life. In the end, it may be too late.

4. 

   #4 August 6, 2012 at 7:19 am

   Ella commented:

   Well ain’t that speshul. Moved to the Al Qaida side. Because that is what these rebels represent. They all suck.

5. 

   #5 August 6, 2012 at 8:53 am

   BarbaraS commented:

   I wonder how much obama paid this guy to defect. And, more than likely, got him and his family out of Syria. As we know, obama is on the side of the rebels and he probably wants to make sure they get the “right” kind of leadership. When obama sides with a group, I am leery about this group. Such has become the trust in my government.

6. 

   #6 August 6, 2012 at 8:56 am

   BarbaraS commented:

   Could this be like some democrats in the south defecting to the reublican party because support has been lost to them. They, however, did not change their core beliefs. If this guy rises in a successful movement, he will probably be another Assad.

7. 

   #7 August 6, 2012 at 9:32 am

   dunce commented:

   Obama is leading the way by teaching other political leaders to lead from behind, he will offer his sage advice from the safe haven of Jordan to people under the guns of Assad.

8. 

   #9 August 6, 2012 at 10:34 am

   atticcellar commented:

   I believe the US Ministry of Information.. They would never lie!