Syria denies Assad has fled as rebels reach edge of capital Damascus

An anti-government fighter gestures from inside a vehicle patrolling the streets of Hama after they captured the central Syrian city - (AFP via Getty Images)

Syria’s government has been forced to deny rumours that president Bashar Assad had fled the country following a march by insurgents across the country to the edge of Damascus.

The rebels' moves around the capital came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of the southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters.