Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi has defected from President Bashar al-Assad's government and has left the country, Reuters reported citing a regional diplomatic source.

"He defected. All I can say is that he is out of Syria," the source, who did not want to be named, told Reuters.

Makdissi, who belongs to Syria's Christian minority, staunchly defended Assad's crackdown on the 20-month revolt. A former diplomat, Makdissi reportedly had little influence in the system underpinned by the security apparatus in which the foreign ministry has no say.

Lebanon's al-Manar Television said earlier that Makdissi had been sacked for making statements which did not reflect official positions.