'I call on all officers... if you are not honourable stay with Assad'

Footage has been broadcast of a defecting Syrian lieutenant calling on other soldiers to stand up against president Bashar al-Assad and to stop aiding the repression.

The man, who identified himself as first lieutenant Abdul Razzaq Mohammed Tlas from the town of Rastan in Homs province, said he had joined the army "with the aim of protecting the people … from the Israeli enemy".

In footage aired on al-Jazeera television, he said: "After what we've seen from crimes in Deraa and all over Syria, I am unable to continue with the Syrian Arab army."

Deraa is the southern Syrian city where the uprising against Mr Assad began 11 weeks ago before spreading to other parts of the country. 1st Lt Tlas said he witnessed "violations" in Deraa, including a security officer killing a civilian in the nearby village of Inkhil. 1st Lt Tlas, dressed in army fatigues with two stars on his badge of rank, also said he witnessed "massacres" in the town of Sanamein, where he was billeted.

He added: "I urge the army, and I say 'Is the army for stealing and protecting the Assad family'?

"I call on all the honourable officers to inform your soldiers about the real picture, use your conscience."

"You joined the army, not to protect the Assad machine. You are an honourable officer. Stay honourable. And if you are not honourable, stay with Assad."

It was not clear where and when 1st Lt Tlas was speaking, and the footage did not show an interviewer asking questions.

Much of the officer corps of Mr Assad's army is drawn from the Alawite elite, while many of the other ranks are from the country's majority Sunni Muslim population.