Syria's defecting former prime minister Riyad Hijab said the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad is collapsing emotionally and economically, urging more defections from the regime.

In the first public appearance in the Jordanian capital of Amman Tuesday, Hijab said at a press conference that the Syrian army does not control more than 30 percent of the Syrian territories.

"I urge honest officials and officers to defect and join the opposition," Hijab said.

Claiming his own innocence, Hijab accused the Syrian regime of oppressing people.

Hijab defected to Jordan on Aug. 8 along with several family members.