Syrian FM spokesman Jihad Makdissi defects: diplomatic source



By Al Arabiya With reuters

Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi has defected and
has left Beirut to settle in London, diplomatic sources Al Arabiya on
Monday.

Lebanon's al-Manar Television said on Monday earlier reported that
Makdissi has been sacked for making statements which did not reflect
official government positions.

Makdissi often spoke at news conferences in Damascus to set out Syria's response to the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad but was rarely seen in the media in recent weeks, raising speculation that he may have defected.

Makdissi’s mobile telephone was switched off on Monday evening and there was no immediate comment on Syrian state media.