Syria's prime minister defected Monday, becoming the latest among high-profile politicians and leaders to leave the embattled regime of Bashar al-Assad.

"I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution. I announce that I am from today a soldier in this blessed revolution," Riyad Hijab said in a written statement read by a Syrian opposition official on Al Jazeera.

CNN Inside Syria

Analysts described Hijab's departure as a significant symbolic blow for al-Assad's government but noted that the former prime minister had been on the job for only a few months.

Al-Assad appointed Hijab prime minister in June, a month after parliamentary elections that were boycotted by supporters of those seeking to oust al-Assad.

"In short, this isn't going to bring a lot of insight into what Assad is thinking or doing. It is certainly embarrassing and does some damage to regime," said David Hartwell, a senior analyst of Islamic Affairs at Jane's. "But all indications are that Hijab was probably kept in the dark. This wasn't a man who had Assad's ear. Assad appointed him just a few months ago. He was essentially just another Cabinet member without much power at all."

Hijab was tasked with creating a new Cabinet for al-Assad's regime.

Opposition leaders said Hijab had defected, while Syrian state television said al-Assad dismissed Hijab from his post Monday.

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said officials hadn't "heard anything from the former prime minister," according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency

1. Who resigned?
2. What role did he leave?
3. How long had he held that position?
4. Was his election peaceful?
5. Were the previous elections peaceful?
6. Who boycotted?
7. How long after this was Hijab appointed?
8. Was his role a crucial one?
9. Who described the resignation "embarrassing?"
10. What job does he hold?
11. Who claimed that Hijab defected?
12. What job does Omran al-Zoubi hold?
13. Does he claim that Hijab contacted him regarding the resignation?
14. How did Hijab describe the regime he was leaving?
15. What role does he wish to take in the revolution?
16. How does he describe this revolution?
17. Does he see himself as fighting for freedom and dignity?
18. What was one of his tasks while still in his former position?
19. For whom?
20. Did he complete it?
1. Hijab
2. prime minister
3. since June,
4. he was appointed
5. no
6. supporters of those seeking to oust al-Assad
7. a month
8. no
9. David Hartwell
10. a senior analyst
11. Opposition leaders
12. Information Minister
13. no
14. as a killing and terrorist regime
15. soldier
16. asblessed
17. yes
18. creating a new Cabinet
19. al-Assad's regime
20. unknown