US cannot confirm or deny CIA role in Makidissi’s escape operation

Al Arabiya

Syria's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jihad Makdissi speaks during a news conference in Damascus in this July 23, 2012 file photo. REUTERS Photo

Washington cannot confirm or deny reports that Syria’s foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi has escaped to the United States with the help of the CIA, London-based Asharq Al-Awsat quoted a U.S. official as saying.

The official, who kept his identity anonymous, told newspaper that State Department had “no knowledge” of Makdissi’s location.

Earlier, reports surfaced suggesting that Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah might have kidnapped Makdissi and handed him back to the Syrian regime.

In a Twitter conversation between Rami Jarah, a Syrian opposition activist, and Makdissi recently published and dated back to July 21, Makdissi said President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is criminal and against the Syrian people.

Makdissi predicted the Assad’s regime to fall “soon.” However, Makdissi said he didn’t see a suitable opposition faction for him to join.

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