News Alert: Reports: Syrian prime minister defects

	Monday, August 6, 2012 7:30:02 AM NEWS ALERT Reports: Syrian prime minister defects Syria's prime minister defected to Jordan on Monday, according to news reports, becoming the most senior official yet to quit the embattled government of President Bashar al-Assad. A statement read on the al-Jazeera Arabic news channel purporting to come from Prime Minister Riyad al-Hijab said he had resigned in protest at the government's harsh tactics as it escalates its efforts to crush the country's 16 month old rebellion. Syrian state TV reported that the prime minister was fired. Read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-prime-minister-riyad-al-hijab-defects-to-jordan/2012/08/06/a7663224-dfb5-11e1-a421-8bf0f0e5aa11_story.html Or visit washingtonpost.com. SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE E-MAIL CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071  ©2011 The Washington Post Privacy Policy