Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab has defected from President Bashar al-Assad's government, the Jordanian government says.

Mr Hijab was appointed less than two months ago and his departure is the highest-profile defection since the uprising began in March 2011.

His family is reported to have fled Syria with him.

A Sunni Muslim, Riad Hijab comes from the Deir al-Zour area of eastern Syria which has been caught up in the revolt.

He is the first cabinet minister to defect and the BBC's Dale Gavlak in Jordan says the development underscores the cracks in the regime which are reaching beyond military ranks.

A month ago, Brig Gen Manaf Tlas, who was considered close to President Assad, also defected.

The prime minister's dismissal was reported by Syrian state TV, which gave no immediate explanation.

His replacement, Omar Ghalawanji, will reportedly lead a caretaker government.

Hours earlier, state TV said a bomb had gone off on the third floor of the Syrian state TV and radio building in Damascus, wounding three people.----

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19146380