THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An information blackout was in place around President Bashar al-Assad after an attack in Damascus that killed three top regime officials amid reports the Syrian leader had fled to his family's coastal stronghold.
Opposition sources and a Western diplomat stated Mr Assad was in the coastal city of Latakia, directing the response to the assassination of his top lieutenants, according to Reuters.
Mr Assad, who has not made a public appearance since Wednesday's bombing, was said to be commanding the government operation but it was not clear whether Assad travelled to the Mediterranean Sea resort before or after the attack.
"Our information is that he is at his palace in Latakia and that he may have been there for days," said a senior opposition figure, who declined to be named. » | Damien McElroy | Thursday, July 19, 2012
President Assad swears in new defence minister » | Thursday, July 19, 2012
