Syrian military police commander defects

The commander of Syria's military police has defected from the army.

He is reported to have declared allegiance to the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, according to a video and a Syrian security source.

The Dubai-based Arab TV station Al-Arabiya broadcast a statement from Major General Abdul Aziz al-Shalal, speaking from the Turkish-Syrian border:

"I have defected because of the deviation of the army from its primary duty of protecting the country and its transformation into gangs of killing and destruction," the officer said in a video.

It comes as opposition fighters continued to gain ground in battles against regime forces across the country.

He is the highest ranking military police officer to defect since the start of the conflict in Syria nearly two years ago.

Wearing a camouflage uniform with red officer insignia on the shoulder, General Shalal spoke from a desk in a room in an undisclosed location. 

"The army has destroyed cities and villages and has committed massacres against an unarmed population that took to the streets to demand freedom. Long live free Syria," he added.

Some rebel sources said he had fled to Turkey. It was not clear when the officer changed sides.

A Syrian security source confirmed the defection but played down its significance.

"Shalal did defect but he was due to retire in a month and he only defected to play hero," the source said.

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