Etri acknowledged that the government was likely to place government officials under even greater scrutiny following the PM's defection, and urged those who consider defecting to do so safely.

Today by the defection of Hijab, a big blow has been directed to the regime, however we ask all Syrian officials [to] act wisely [if consider defection]. Today the regime will react haphazardly in a hysterical manner. It will perpetrate more killings ... any official willing to defect must act wisely, he must take care of himself and his family the regime speaks only one language: the language of blood."

Etri said that Hijab's own defection was delayed several times due to safety considerations.

[link to blogs.aljazeera.com]