Syrian oil minister defects, posts YouTube video criticizing Assad

Hussameldin said he had been in government for 33 years but did not want to end his career “serving the crimes of this regime,” adding: “I have preferred to do what is right although I know that this regime will burn my house and persecute my family.”…

Hussameldin said: “I say to this regime: you have inflicted on those who you claim are your people a whole year of sorrow and sadness, denying them basic life and humanity and driving Syria to the edge of the abyss.”

Assad appointed Hussameldin, 58, to his current position through a presidential decree in 2009. He said the country’s economy was “near collapse”. There was no mention of the defection on Syrian state media.