MOSCOW. Dec 16 (Interfax) - Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a statement published on a Telegram channel his departure from Syria was not planned and he remained in Damascus until December 8.
"My departure from Syria was neither planned not did it occur during the final of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024," al-Assad said.
"At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge," he said.
"The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught," he said.
Al-Assad said the fall of his regime "does not diminish my profound sense of belonging to Syria and her people."
"It is the belonging filled with hope that Syria will once again be free and independent," he said.
The military opposition in Syria said on December 8 it had taken over Damascus and was forming interim bodies of authority.
It was reported last week that Mohammed al-Bashir had been tasked with forming an interim government of Syria. Al-Bashir earlier led the so-called Syrian Salvation Government. He is an engineer and has theological education.