'We must rebuild': New Syria PM urges citizens abroad to return

ROME/DAMASCUS: Syria's new transitional prime minister has called for Syrians who have sought refuge abroad to return to their homeland following the ouster of longtime president Bashar al-Assad.

- Agencies

Mohammad al-Bashir, appointed by rebel groups as the transitional head of government, to run the country until March, told Italy's Corriere della Sera daily that one of his first goals was to "bring back the millions of Syrian refugees who are abroad".

"Their human capital, their experience will allow the country to flourish," Bashir said in an interview published on Wednesday.

"Mine is an appeal to all Syrians abroad: Syria is now a free country that has earned its pride and dignity. Come back. We must rebuild, be reborn, and we need everyone's help."

Assad fled Syria as an Islamist-led opposition alliance swept into the capital Damascus over the weekend, bringing to an end five decades of brutal rule by his clan.

Torture during Assad rule The main commander of the fighters who toppled Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that anyone involved in the torture or killing of detainees during the ousted Syrian president's rule would be hunted down, and pardons were out of the question.