Russia grants asylum to ousted Syrian dictator Assad

The Kremlin said on Monday Russia has granted political asylum to overthrown Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a decision it said was taken by President Vladimir Putin.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin was not planning to meet with him.

Syrian rebels, led by an alliance by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, reached Damascus over the weekend and overthrew Assad's government following nearly 14 years of civil war. Assad's overthrow, which appeared unthinkable just two weeks ago, raised hopes for a more peaceful future but also concerns about a potential security vacuum in the country, which is still split among armed groups.

Assad had been Syria's leader since 2000, succeeding his father, who had been president for three decades.

Peskov said it was too early to say what the future would hold for Russia's military bases in Syria, adding that it would be the subject of discussion with the new rulers in Damascus.

"This is all a subject for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria," Peskov said, adding that there was "extreme instability" in the country.

Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, who remained in his post after Assad and most of his top officials vanished over the weekend, has sought to project normalcy.

"We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before.

He said the government is co-ordinating with the insurgents, and that he is ready to meet rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

Separately, a Syrian opposition war monitor said a top aide to Assad's brother, Maher, was found dead in his office near Damascus. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not clear if Maj. Gen. Ali Mahmoud, was killed or died by suicide.

Damascus was quiet on Monday, with life slowly returning to normal while most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating.

Civilian traffic resumed but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores.

There was little sign of any security presence, and Associated Press reporters saw a few SUVs on the side of a main boulevard that appeared to have been broken into. In some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.