Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali was spotted being escorted by rebels in Damascus on Sunday, 8th December. Reports suggest he was heading to a hotel to hand over government authority.
A video circulating online shows Al-Jalali surrounded by armed men as he descends a flight of steps and enters a black SUV accompanied by another individual.
“The former prime minister is with the 5th Corps from the people of Hauran, heading to the Four Seasons Hotel for a meeting to hand over the country’s institutions to the heroes of the Free Army,” a voice in the video declares.
In a separate video, Al-Jalali expressed his intention to “ensure” the continued operation of public institutions and state facilities, as well as the “safety and security of all citizens.”
On the same day, rebel fighters declared the Syrian capital, Damascus, “liberated” in a statement broadcast on state television, following President Bashar al-Assad’s reported flight from the country.
Footage shared on social media depicts armed fighters on the grounds of the Syrian presidential palace. By the gatehouse on the southern edge of the palace grounds, rebels are seen firing their weapons into the air in celebration, with the surrounding entrance area notably deserted.
