Syria's prime minister defected Monday, becoming the latest among high-profile politicians and leaders to leave the embattled regime of Bashar al-Assad. 

"I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution. I announce that I am from today a soldier in this blessed revolution," Riyad Hijab said in a written statement read by a Syrian opposition official on Al Jazeera. 

CNN Inside Syria 

Analysts described Hijab's departure as a significant symbolic blow for al-Assad's government but noted that the former prime minister had been on the job for only a few months. 

Al-Assad appointed Hijab prime minister in June, a month after parliamentary elections that were boycotted by supporters of those seeking to oust al-Assad. 

"In short, this isn't going to bring a lot of insight into what Assad is thinking or doing. It is certainly embarrassing and does some damage to regime," said David Hartwell, a senior analyst of Islamic Affairs at Jane's. "But all indications are that Hijab was probably kept in the dark. This wasn't a man who had Assad's ear. Assad appointed him just a few months ago. He was essentially just another Cabinet member without much power at all." 

Hijab was tasked with creating a new Cabinet for al-Assad's regime. 

Opposition leaders said Hijab had defected, while Syrian state television said al-Assad dismissed Hijab from his post Monday. 

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said officials hadn't "heard anything from the former prime minister," according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency 
Who resigned?
What role did he leave?
How long had he held that position?
Was his election peaceful?
Were the previous elections peaceful?
Who boycotted?
How long after this was Hijab appointed?
Was his role a crucial one?
Who described the resignation "embarrassing?"
What job does he hold?
Who claimed that Hijab defected?
What job does Omran al-Zoubi hold?
Does he claim that Hijab contacted him regarding the resignation?
How did Hijab describe the regime he was leaving?
What role does he wish to take in the revolution?
How does he describe this revolution?
Does he see himself as fighting for freedom and dignity?
What was one of his tasks while still in his former position?
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Did he complete it?
Hijab
Analysts described Hijab's departure
prime minister
Syria's prime minister defected Monday
since June,
Al-Assad appointed Hijab prime minister in June,
he was appointed
Al-Assad appointed Hijab
no
after parliamentary elections that were boycotted by supporters of those seeking to oust al-Assad. 
supporters of those seeking to oust al-Assad
boycotted by supporters of those seeking to oust al-Assad
a month
Al-Assad appointed Hijab prime minister in June, a month 
no
 He was essentially just another Cabinet member without much power at all." 
David Hartwell
It is certainly embarrassing and does some damage to regime," said David Hartwell,
a senior analyst
David Hartwell, a senior analyst of Islamic Affairs at Jane's
Opposition leaders
Opposition leaders said Hijab had defected
Information Minister
Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi 
no
 officials hadn't "heard anything from the former prime minister," 
as a killing and terrorist regime
I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime
soldier
I am from today a soldier 
asblessed
 in this blessed revolution
yes
I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution
creating a new Cabinet
Hijab was tasked with creating a new Cabinet for al-Assad's regime
al-Assad's regime
creating a new Cabinet for al-Assad's regime
unknown
unknown