Reports Syria's Vice-President has fled country

Rebel sources in Syria say the country's Vice-President has quit, and is heading for Jordan.

The Assad regime denies the claim, but there's been no sign of Farouq al-Sharaa, who's taken a back seat in regime affairs.

As CNN's Nic Robertson reports, he may well be trying to reach the border.

"He would have to sort of sneak past the people guarding his house, but not just him - that's the tough part, the Government would be watching his family too.

"But two weeks ago, the Prime Minister fled the country with his family, and that's a signal to others in the leadership of the regime that they too might actually be able to get out of the country."

Nic Robertson reports the mystery may unfold at prayer services marking the end of Ramadam.

"You would normally expect to see President Bashar al-Assad along with Farouq al-Sharaa, his Vice-President.

"If the Vice-President doesn't show up tomorrow, that's going to be a pretty good indication that either neither side knows where he is, and perhaps he is close to the border with Jordan, but really the details that we're getting - it's two opposing views, and there's really nothing in the middle (to) clarify it."

But Syria's Vice-Foreign Minister Falsal Mekdad says it's business as usual.

"He is working, he is committed to his country and to do the best in his capacity as Vice-President and he has never thought of leaving Syria."

Photo: President Bashar al-Assad (Getty Images)