By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:The Syrian government appears to have fallen after a lightning offensive by rebels, Sky News reported on Sunday.

It has been reported that, President Bashar al Assad fled Damascus on a plane for an unknown destination, according to two senior Syrian army officers speaking to the Reuters news agency, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syria's army command has now notified officers that his 24-year rule has ended, an officer who was informed of the move told Reuters.

Hours earlier, the rebels said they had gained complete control of the key city of Homs after only a day of fighting.The rebels, made up of various opposition groups, said this morning they are continuing work to complete the transfer of power in Syria to a transitional governing body.

“The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people," the coalition said in a statement, adding it is a new birth for "great Syria".