Assad regime 'crumbling' as France deploys medics to Syrian border

Western powers have said that the Syrian regime is "crumbling" after the defection of its Prime Minister.

Riad Hijab became the highest-ranking official to flee Assad's regime when he crossed into Jordan on Sunday night.

Mr Hijab accused President Bashar Al-Assad of carrying out genocide against his own people, but said four decades of Assad family rule were collapsing.

A spokesman for the US National Security Council said the defection was just the latest indication that Assad has lost control of Syria.

French President Francois Hollande's office said France will immediately deploy medics to Jordan's border with Syria to help care for a flood of refugees.