Syria's number two makes public appearance, ending defection rumors

Vice President Farouk Sharaa seen for first time since July 18

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Syrian Vice President Farouk Sharaa has made his first public appearance in several weeks, ending rumors that he defected.

Al-Sharaa was last seen at the funeral of four top Syrian government officials who were killed in a blast in Damascus on July 18. Since then, speculation has circulated that he defected to Jordan in what would have been a blow to Bashar Assad’s regime. Jordan and Sharaa’s office repeatedly denied he defected.

On Sunday, reporters saw Sharaa exit his car and walk to his office for a meeting with Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of Iran’s powerful parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy.

An Associated Press reporter at the scene said Sharaa looked serious and steered away from reporters covering the meeting. He did not make a statement.