Bashar al-Assad was nowhere to be seen since the bold rebellion and the attacks which killed the three most important people in his regime who were all senior officials. Even in this sighting he was seen only on TV in a Syrian State Television, for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Defence Minister on Thursday.

The government had restricted the moves of the rebels by stationing helicopters armed with guns after 5 days of the clashes in Damascus. The inefficient military couldn't contain the lightly armed rebels who could also bomb and kill the officials at a high level security meeting which all points out to the flimsy management capabilities of Assad.

However, what is baffling is that Assad, his wife, and their 3 children were mysteriously never spotted after his brother-in-law was killed along with the defence minister. The absence of Assad in public was not very uncommon but it has increased significantly since the attack on his inner circle. The state TV had made announcements that state that he is still alove and well in charge of the government. The state TV had said that Assad wished luck to the newly sworn in Defence Minister but did not disclose the location of the swearing in ceremony.

Many natives feared that the battle was losing control with five consecutive days of brutal fights, and tried to hide their heads as they fled to Lebanon. At Masnaa, as reported by the residents, the crossing point 40 km away from Damascus, was carrying the fleeing refugees to Lebanon in private cars, taxis and buses.

The White House said that the government was losing control of the country after the devastating bombing of the senior officials on Wednesday.

Syrian State Television has affirmed the death of the senior most government official Dawoud Rajha, 65, who was killed in the rebellion to oust Bashar.

AW- Anil