Article Photos: Syrian rebels seek new leverage with abductions



  Riad Hijab, Syria’s defected former prime minister arrives to a press conference at the Hyatt Hotel, in Amman, Jordan, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. Hijab is the highest-ranking political figure to defect from Assad’s regime and in his first public comments since leaving his post and fleeing to Jordan he said Tuesday that the regime was near collapse and urged other political and military leaders to tip the scales and join the rebel side. (AP photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Riad Hijab, Syria’s defected former prime minister arrives to a press conference at the Hyatt Hotel, in Amman, Jordan, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. Hijab is the highest-ranking political figure to defect from Assad’s regime and in his first public comments since leaving his post and fleeing to Jordan he said Tuesday that the regime was near collapse and urged other political and military leaders to tip the scales and join the rebel side. (AP photo/Mohammad Hannon)