A Syrian priest has told Premier he hopes for a new constitution in his country, after rebel forces seized control of Damascus.

Rev Dr Nadim Nassar was the first Syrian Church of England priest. He founded the Awareness Foundation, a Christian organisation which operates in Syria to be “a counter force of love and peace” to intolerance, and aims “to build understanding between the faiths.”

Syria’s former President, Bashar al Assad, was known for a brutal regime of violence, human rights abuses and nepotism.

Rebels from the Hyat Tahrir al-Sham Islamist group rapidly advanced on Damascus on Sunday, after taking control of Aleppo, Hama and Homs.

Assad fled the country before their arrival in the capital, leaving it without official leadership.

Russia has confirmed that Putin has personally granted asylum to Assad. Despite Putin's close relationship with the former leader, the rebels' flag was raised over the Syrian embassy in Moscow today. 

Rev Dr Nassar told Premier he has been watching events with bated breath.

“We don’t want the power to remain with a military man,” he said.” We want to have a prime minister. The rebels didn’t kill the present prime minister – they were reasonable enough to talk with him, and allow him to continue his job.

“But now it is time to bring a man, whose heart would be for the whole country. [We need] to bring a cabinet. And then, a brand new constitution.”

He warned that peace is not guaranteed, and urged protection for the most vulnerable: “We pray there would be no bloodshed among civilians.

“The war is not over, we understand that. We must pray for continued peace in Syria.”