Al-Assad denies planned departure from Syria in alleged statement

Bashar al-Assad denies planning exit from Syria

Deposed leader makes first comments since fleeing to Moscow

Financial Times - 57m

Assad denies planning to flee Syria before evacuation by Moscow

Former Syrian leader claimed he wanted to stay and fight but left after Russian airbase came under attack. • Middle East crisis – live updates The former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has ...

The Guardian - 1h

Assad says he didn't intend to leave Syria, statement claims

In what appears to be his first reaction since fleeing Syria, the former president says Russia decided to airlift him to Moscow.

BBC News - 2h

Syria's Assad blames 'terrorism' for regime collapse in first statement since defeat

Former Syrian President Bashar Assad on Monday made his first official statement since being topped by a rebel offensive and fleeing the country for Russia.

ABC News - 2h

Al-Assad Wanted to Stay in Syria and Fight, Statement Says

The country’s former leader, Bashar al-Assad, appeared to give his first account of his flight from Syria in a statement posted to a Facebook account used by his presidency.

The New York Times - 2h

Arteta: Edu departure won't impact January plans

Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal's January transfer plans will not be affected by the absence of a permanent sporting director following Edu Gaspar's sudden departure.

ESPN - 2d

From doctor to brutal dictator: the rise and fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

Toppled president came to power keen to show he was different from his father but proved to be as repressive. Middle East crisis – live updates On the face of it at least, the Bashar al-Assad ...

The Guardian - Dec. 8