Assad’s grip weakening as fourth aide dies

A fourth member of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle died yesterday from wounds sustained in a bomb attack this week and his forces fought to recapture border posts and parts of Damascus from rebels targeting the heart of his power.

As refugees flooded across Syria’s borders and banks were reported to have run out of cash, Russia’s envoy to Paris added to a sense Assad’s days were numbered by saying he had accepted he would have to leave power.

Syrian state television flashed a government statement saying the comments were “completely devoid of truth” while Russia’s Paris embassy said they had been taken out of context.