Master class from Syrian propagandists: how they act when the regime falls

Last week, Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus for Russia, ending more than fifty years of his family's rule.

The propagandists, officials and religious preachers who did not flee Syria, who had served the regime for decades, began to publicly declare that they were only doing their job and were not guilty of anything.

Euroradio reports how Bashar al-Assad's former repressive and propaganda apparatus is publicly explaining why no charges should be brought against him.

The pro-government newspaper Al-Watan praised the Assad regime for more than 20 years. But after the dictator's escape, it abruptly changed its rhetoric, saying its staff "only published what came from above."

"We were only following orders and publishing the news they [the authorities] sent us. Now it has quickly become clear that this is a lie. We are about to turn a new page for Syria. We thank God that no more blood was shed. We believe and hope that Syria will be for all Syrians.

Syria's Information Ministry also issued a conciliatory message.

"Dear colleagues working in the state media. We call on everyone to participate in the work of the next two days, so that the various media outlets can resume broadcasting and publishing documents documenting the fateful phase of Syria, which we love and cover. We all hope that the coming days will be good for us. All omens, goodness and joy to our patient people," the agency wrote.

The last prime minister in Bashar al-Assad's government, Muhammad Ghazi al-Jalali, who was in power for just over three months before the regime was toppled, expressed his willingness to work with whatever leadership the Syrian people choose.

"A rational approach is needed in the interest of the homeland and the unity of Syria <...> I will be at the Council of Ministers this morning [Dec. 8 - Euroradio] and I am ready for a smooth transition of power after Assad leaves <...>. I hope that everyone will show wisdom and be guided by the interests of the homeland <...>. I am convinced that Syria is a country for all Syrians without exception.

The sheikhs of the Alawite Islamic community, of which Bashar al-Assad was a representative, also called for "a general amnesty and a restriction on the use of weapons" after the change of power. 

"It is important to achieve security and stability [in Syria] and to take concrete steps to consolidate civil peace and national reconciliation."

The community representatives called for a general amnesty to ensure the safety of all citizens and "open a new page that promotes national unity," ensure the safe return of refugees with guarantees for their protection and property, and "restrict [the use of] weapons exclusively to state authority and prohibit their use outside legitimate state institutions.

And just yesterday, deposed former President Bashar al-Assad himself finally spoke out, revealing when and how he left Syria.

"At no time during these events did I think about resigning or seeking asylum. No one suggested it to me. The only option was to continue fighting the terrorist onslaught," the politician stressed. Assad said that "from the first day of the war, he gave up any personal gains in order to save the country.

He also noted that when the state falls into the hands of terrorists, any office loses its meaning. "In such moments, holding any office becomes meaningless," Assad said, adding that he still feels a deep attachment to Syria and hopes to restore its freedom and independence.

"I have not stopped fighting and I will not stop defending my country," Assad concluded.