Syria's ambassador to Iraq reportedly defects
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 July 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syria's ambassador to Iraq reportedly defects, 11 July 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5000254528.html [accessed 18 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 11, 2012
Syria's ambassador to Iraq is reported – by Syrian opposition sources – to have defected in protest at the crackdown by President Bashar al-Assad's forces against a 16-month revolt.
If confirmed, Nawaf al-Fares would be the first serving Syrian envoy to defect.
Mohamed Sermini of the main exiled opposition group, the Syrian National Council was quoted as saying that this is just the beginning of a series of defections by diplomats.
Iraqi government sources tell RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq they have no information on the reported defection.
Last week a top Syrian general in the Republican Guard ,Manaf Tlass, fled Syria.
Based on reporting by Reuters, "The New York Times," and Al-Arabiya
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
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