Defectors from the Assad regime were bribed by European countries along with Arab states to make the leap, reports The Times.

According to the newspaper, in May a meeting took place between European diplomats in Doha, Qatar, where it was agreed that Syrian officials should be "incentivised" to defect the regime and bring about its collapse.

The paper's source is quoted as saying:

“They came to the decision that publicly the Annan plan had to be supported, but privately they needed an alternative. Defections were not coming fast enough. They had to coerce and incentivise these guys to drive a wedge into the regime,”

“Bribes were never mentioned explicitly, there was no need. Everyone understood precisely and left the meeting on the same page.”

A fund raiser for the Free Syrian Army told the paper:

“Certainly bribes are being paid. Western intelligence agencies are keen to incentivise regime officials."

“The Friends of Syria are already thinking of the next phase after Assad, trying to gather third- and fourth-tier officials for the next step. They fear a disintegration of the country like Iraq.”