Assad wanted to stay and keep fighting, he claims

Ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad said that he wanted to stay in the country after rebels captured the capital, but the Russian military evacuated him from their base in western Syria after it came under attack.

- SARAH EL DEEB, BASSEM MROUE

They were Mr Assad's first public comments since he was overthrown by insurgent groups just over a week ago following a swift offensive that has shaken up the country's alliances and led to celebrations in a nation long stifled by civil war.

Mr Assad said on Facebook that he left Damascus on the morning of 8 December, hours after insurgents stormed the capital. He said he left in coordination with Russian allies to their Hmeimim airbase in the coastal province of Latakia, where he had planned to keep fighting.

But after the Russian base came under attack by drones, he said, the Russians decided to move him that night to Russia.

“At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge nor was such proposal made by any individual or party,” Mr Assad said in the English text of his statement. “The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.”