Syria: Bashar al Assad is in Moscow, says Russian state media

Russian state media says fallen Syrian president Bashar al Assad is in Moscow with his family.

Quoting a source in the Kremlin, Russian state media outlet TASS said Mr Assad and his family members have been provided with asylum in the Russian capital.

There had been much speculation over Mr Assad whereabouts after reports he fled Damascus before the rebels arrived there this morning.

Russia, one of Assad's closest allies, confirmed earlier today that he had left Syria, but did not say where he was, or whether Moscow had given him refuge.