Assad resigns, leaves Syria after talks with Syrian stakeholders - Russian Foreign Ministry

Following negotiations with the parties to the Syrian conflict, Syrian President Bashar Assad has decided to resign and leave the country, ordering his government to ensure a peaceful power transition, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

"As a result of negotiations between Bashar Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign as president and left the country, giving instructions to arrange a peaceful power transition. Russia did not participate in these negotiations," the statement read.

Russia is monitoring dramatic events that are unfolding in Syria with great concern, the ministry added.

Sputnik