Syrian defector: Assad regime 'unwilling to reform'

Key Syrian defector Gen Manaf Tlas has hinted that French secret agents helped him flee Syria in early July.

He said France had helped him escape, but refused to be drawn on how, only saying that he was thankful.

He also accused the Syrian government of "lying for its own interests" and being unwilling to reform in order to bring an end to the conflict with rebels.

Gen Tlas was speaking from his refuge in Paris to interviewers from BBC Arabic and French news channel BFMTV.