Saturday, July 12, 2025
spot_img

Syria says Assad’s deputy did not try to defect

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

BEIRUT: Syria’s Vice-President Farouq al-Shara has never considered leaving the country, state media said today, after reports that Shara had tried to defect to neighbouring Jordan.

A cousin of Shara’s announced his defection on Thursday, calling on the army to join the “revolution” against Assad. But state media said the vice president had been working since the start of the uprising to reach a political solution to end the bloodshed. Shara welcomed the appointment of veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi as a new international mediator for Syria, it added.

“Farouq al-Shara has never thought for a moment about leaving the country,” Syrian television quoted a statement from Shara’s office as saying. Shara, appointed six years ago after the defection of Abdul-Halim Khaddam, is a Sunni Muslim from the southern Deraa province where the 17-month-old uprising against Alawite President Bashar al-Assad first erupted.

The 73-year-old former foreign minister kept a low profile as the rebellion against Assad escalated, but appeared in public last month at a state funeral for three of Assad’s top security officials killed in a bomb attack in Damascus. (Reuters)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

DRDO and IAF successfully test Astra BVRAAM with indigenous radio frequency seeker from Su-30 Mk-I

New Delhi, July 11: In a significant boost to India's self-reliance in defence technology, the Defence Research and...

Mayank Yadav’s rehab likely to start in coming weeks after undergoing surgery in Christchurch

New Delhi, July 11: Tearaway fast bowler Mayank Yadav is likely to begin his long rehab in the...

Pakistan: 98 killed, 185 injured as monsoon rains wreak havoc

Islamabad, July 11: Torrential monsoon rains and flash floods have claimed at least 98 lives and left 185...

India’s purchase of Russian oil helped bring down global prices: Hardeep Puri

New Delhi, July 11: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday that India’s...