"Assad left after negotiations", Russia: Has given approval for peaceful transfer of power

The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left office and the country after negotiations with "other participants in the armed conflict" and has given instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. 

Russia insists it was not involved in those negotiations and that its military bases in Syria are on high alert but are not under threat.

Russia states that it is in contact with "all Syrian opposition groups."

According to the BBC, Russia has been a key ally of Assad, providing him with military assistance to stay in power.