Syrians celebrate end of Assad's rule

Syrians wasted little time removing traces of Bashar al-Assad, after Syrian rebels said that they have ended his 24-year authoritarian rule, in their first announcement on state television following a lightning offensive that took the world by surprise.

Bashar al-Assad has left Syria and resigned as the country's President while calling for a peaceful transfer of power, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Russian news agencies confirmed his arrival to the capital after speaking to a Kremlin source.

After negotiations with some of the participants in the armed conflict within the Arab Syrian Republic, Bashar al-Assad decided to resign as president and leave the country, while instructing for a peaceful transfer of power, said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The ministry added that Russia did not participate in these negotiations.

Opposition forces in Syria reportedly took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of al-Assad's government. 

Iran’s Foreign minister said it was “surprising” the Syrian army couldn’t counter the rebel attack that led to president Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow.

Speaking to local media, Abbas Araghchi, said Iran was aware of the developments inside Syria but “were never asked for help” in what he said was an “internal Syrian issue.”

Syrian rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani was greeted by cheering crowds as he entered Damascus’ historic Umayyad Mosque, following the rebels declaration of President Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

Speaking inside the mosque, Golani described the victory as "a turning point for the region," accusing Assad of having "handed Syria over to Iranian ambitions", while spreading "sectarianism and corruption."

As the commander of al Qaeda's franchise in the Syrian civil war, Golani was a shadowy figure who kept out of the public eye, even when his group became the most powerful faction fighting Assad.