Syrian rebels say Bashar al-Assad has fled Damascus and claim to have captured capital – live updates

Rebels say Damascus is ‘free’ of the ‘tyrant’ Bashar al-Assad after lightning advance across the country

• Full report: Rebels say they have advanced into Damascus as residents report sound of gunfire

Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaida affiliate, said on Saturday it has a duty to protect governmental, international and UN offices in Syria.

Meanwhile, in Doha, the UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, urged “calm” and “avoidance of bloodshed”.

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