Putin gives asylum to fugitive dictator Assad

Syria's PM said most cabinet ministers are working from their offices in Damascus. Some govt services were shut as workers ignored calls to return

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OUSTED Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his long-time ally, Russian media said on Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his family's 50 years of iron rule.

The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria.

Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully.

The leader of Syria's biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is poised to chart the country's future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance.