Syrian oil official defects from regime

Associated Press

BEIRUT

Syria’s deputy oil minister appeared tense as he looked at the camera and announced in a video that he has defected from President Bashar Assad’s regime, acknowledging he expects government forces to “burn my home” and “persecute my family.”

Abdo Husameddine, a 58-year-old father of four, on Thursday became the highest-ranking civilian official to join the opposition, and he urged his countrymen to “abandon this sinking ship” as the nation spirals toward civil war.

In the YouTube video, Husameddine seemed to address Assad directly, accusing him of vast crimes in the past year as government forces pummel the opposition with tanks and snipers. The U.N. estimates 7,500 people have been killed since the uprising began.

“You have inflicted on those you claim are your people a full year of sorrow and sadness, denied them their basic rights to life and humanity and pushed the country to the edge of the abyss,” said Husameddine, wearing a dark suit and tie. He appeared to be reading from a script, casting his eyes down to find the words.

“I do not want to end my life servicing the crimes of this regime,” he said. “I declare that I am joining the revolution of the dignified people.”

The authenticity of the video could not be verified, and he did not disclose his location.