Video: Syrian deputy oil minister: I announce my defection from the regime In the video, which was filmed at a secret location and uploaded on Wednesday, the minister said: "I, the engineer Abdo Hussameddin, the deputy oil minister ... announce my defection from the regime and my resignation. In a message to Bashar al-Assad's administration, Hussalmeldin said, "You brought a year of sadness and misery to those you claim to be your people, and deprived them from basic needs and humanity and brought the country to the brink of disaster through your stubbornness and arrogance while you are cut off from reality." He added: "I salute the (Syria) Free Army - which refused to be with the butcher against the victim - and I call on them to be united to end this unjust regime."