Syrian president Bashar al-Assad'splane has vanished as he and his family flee afterrebels took hold of Damascusearlier today.

The Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane, operated by Syrian Air, disappeared from flight tracking amid uncertainty over where Assad is and what happened to him and his family after rebels took Damascus. Assad, who has served as president since July 2000 reportedly fled Dmascus after rebel fighters stormed the capital, having advanced quickly to the outskirts.