Kremlin: Putin approved of Assad's asylum after Damascus fell

His regime has collapsed at the weekend, following a swift offensive of Islamist-led rebels.

The United Nations Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting for the situation in Syria following the collapse of Assad, who fled to Russia with his family after the rebel arrival in Damascus.

Russian representatives have said the emergency meeting will be held by closed doors.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told reporters in Moscow on December 9th that while Putin has made his personal decision to approve Assad asylum and his family, there is no obligation to provide more details.

Such decisions cannot be made without heads of state. It was his decision [Putin]”, Peskov said.

I don't have anything to tell you about the location of Assad”, Peskov said.

Russian News Agency, T The ASS, a Syrian Embassy official in Moscow quoted him as saying that Assad is in the Russian capital. These reports have not been confirmed.

Russia, Assad's longtime ally, has said it “has decided to resign”, after “negociates” with a “number of participants in the armed conflict” and has left the office, providing instructions for the peaceful transfer of power”.

“Russia has not participated in these negotiations”, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.

In Damascus and other Syrian cities, people have taken to the streets to celebrate the collapse of the Assad regime, have collapsed statues, and have looted government buildings, including Assad's residence.

Syria's Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalal, has said through a video-incise that his government is ready to co-operate with any leader elected by the “people.

He is seen leaving his home on December 8th in the company of armed men, following reports that he will meet with the leader of the rebel Sun group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who has led the offensive against the Assad regime.

HTS is a declared terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union.

In recent years, this militant Islamist group has broken ties with al-Qaeda, and has attempted to present itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government.

However, there are concerns about the group's abuses, as well as ties to other terrorist groups. / REL/