Syrian rebel supporters enter embassy in Athens, police detain 4 but leave rebel flag flying

Supporters of the Syrian rebels that ousted President Bashar al-Assad entered the Syrian embassy in Athens on Sunday and hoisted the rebel flag from the rooftop, police and a Reuters reporter say.

Police entered the embassy compound and detained four people, but left the flag flying, says a Reuters reporter at the scene.

Later in the day, at Athens’ central Syntagma Square, dozens of jubilant Syrian opposition supporters wave rebel flags, dance, and hug each other.

A small group of people celebrate outside the embassy compound in Athens.

“Our joy is indescribable, 55 years of horrible dictatorship has finally ended and … the dictator escaped and left the people,” says Alompeint Marouf, 59.

Greek media reports that protesters also tore down Assad’s portrait in the embassy, but a senior Greek police official cannot confirm this.