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Top Syrian generals defection a big blow to Assad

Dunya News

Syrian Opposition leader and Clinton hail the defection of top Syrian general.

This is a major blow to the Assad regime, Abdel Basset Sayda told journalists at a meeting in Paris. We cannot comment where he is.We are going to seek some cooperation with him. We call for other defections.General Munaf Tlass, a son of a former defence minister who is close to Assad and his family, defected three days ago, the highest-ranking military officer to have abandoned the Assad regime.France, hosting a meeting of about 100 countries from the so-called Friends of Syria group where the SNC leader was speaking, earlier confirmed the defection.A senior official from the Syrian regime, a commander in the Republican Guard, has defected and is headed for Paris, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told a news conference.Tlass, who is in his late 40s, was a member of the inner circle in Syria, and a childhood friend of Bashar al-Assad.A general in the elite Republican Guard charged with protecting the regime, he is the son of former defence minister Mustafa Tlass, a close friend of Assads late father and predecessor, Hafez.Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is hailing the defection of top military officials in President Bashar Assads inner circle as the United States and its international allies seek global sanctions against his regime.Western officials reported top Assad aide Brig. Gen. Manaf Tlasss defection Friday.Clinton referred only to reports of Tlass departure but cited an increasing stream of senior military defectors.She tells reporters that regime insiders and the military establishment are starting to vote with their feet.She says this shows that those with the closest knowledge of Assads actions and crimes are moving away. We think thats a very promising development. It also raises questions for those remaining in Damascus, who are still supporting this regime.