Former Syrian PM defected to Jordan

The Associated Press news agency reports that three additional cabinet ministers have defected today, according to a spokesman for the rebel Free Syrian Army.

Ahmad Kassim, a senior official with the Free Syrian Army, said Monday that Hijab defected to Jordan along with three other ministers. The other ministers' identities were not immediately known.


The Reuters news agency reported that former Syrian PM Hijab has defected to Jordan.

Jordanian authorities have confirmed to Al Jazeera that former Syrian PM Riad Hijab has arrived in that country. We are awaiting a statement from Hijab's spokesperson on whether or not he will be joining the opposition movement against President Bashar al-Assad.

Mohammed el-Etri, former PM Hijab's spokesman, has confirmed to Al Jazeera that Hijabi has defected from the Syrian government and will be joining the opposition.

Hijab said in a statement read in his name by spokesman Muhammad el-Etri:

"I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution. I announce that I am from today a soldier in this blessed revolution"