Live updates: Follow the latest on the Syrian rebel advance
As the regime of Syria's President Bashar Al Assad regime collapsed and opposition forces entered Damascus on Sunday, Prime Minister Mohammad Al Jalali emerged as a pivotal figure.
Mr Al Assad was reported to have fled Damascus for an unknown destination after rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham entered the capital following an offensive that started in the northern city of Aleppo on November 27.
In a video posted on his Facebook account, Mr Al Jalali said he remained in his home and that he was ready to support the continuity of governance and to co-operate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.
He said he had been in contact with rebel commander Ahmad Al Shara, formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani to discuss managing the transitional period, marking a significant development in efforts to shape Syria's political future.
Mr Al Jawlani also signalled efforts to secure an orderly transition, releasing a statement in which he said state institutions would be supervised by Mr Al Jalali until they were handed over.
The rebels later posted a video on social media that showed Mr Al Jalali leaving his house escorted by opposition fighters, with one heard saying that he was being taken to the Four Seasons Hotel for a meeting to hand over the government institutions.
Born in Damascus in 1969, Mr Al Jalali is an academic and a political technocrat. Holding advanced degrees in civil engineering and engineering economics, his career includes roles as Minister of Communications and Technology between 2014 and 2016, and as Deputy Minister before that.
In 1992 he graduated with a BA in civil engineering and completed a postgraduate diploma in civil engineering from Damascus University two years later. He also completed a master of science in civil engineering in 1997, and a PhD in engineering economics from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 2000.
He also leads academic institutions, such as the Syrian Private University, positioning him as both a technologist and an intellectual within the Assad regime.
Despite his credentials, his tenure has not been not without controversy. Along with Syria’s former foreign minister Faisal Mekdad, he has been the subject of EU sanctions for his role in suppressing the public protests in 2011 that escalated into a civil war that has claimed more than 350,000 lives according to UN estimates.
Appointed by Mr Al Assad in September, Mr Al Jalali led the government at a critical juncture, with Syria at a crossroads between deeper fragmentation and potential stabilisation.
His technical expertise and administrative experience may provide tools for addressing Syria's immediate needs, such as rebuilding infrastructure and restoring basic services. However, his ties to past repression raise doubts about his ability to enact genuine reform or foster reconciliation with opposition forces.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
World Sevens Series standing after Dubai
1. South Africa
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. Australia
6. Samoa
7. Kenya
8. Scotland
9. France
10. Spain
11. Argentina
12. Canada
13. Wales
14. Uganda
15. United States
16. Russia
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
