Newly-appointed Prime Minister Riyad Hijab has defected from his position on Monday reportedly along with two other ministers, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported.

Mohammed el-Etri, former PM Hijab's spokesman, has confirmed to Al Jazeera that Hijab has defected from the Syrian government and will be joining the opposition.

Hijab has already arrived in neighbouring Jordan along with family members according to official sources.

In a statement read in his name by spokesman Muhammad el-Etri and quoted by Al Jazeera Hijab said "I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution. I announce that I am from today a soldier in this blessed revolution".

El-Etri said the defection was planned for "months", and was executed in collaboration with the Free Syrian Army.

Earlier Syrian State Television said that Hijab had been dismissed ans replaced by Omar Ghalawanji to lead a temporary caretaker government. Opposition figures say the announcement of Hijab dismissal was an attempt to cover his defection.

President Bashar al-Assad appointed Hijab, a former agriculture minister, as prime minister in June following a parliamentary election in May which opponents dismissed as a sham.

Earlier Syrian state-run television said at least three people were injured after a bomb hit the third floor of the state TV building in Damascus.

The building is located at the Umawiyyeen roundabout in downtown Damascus.

Syrian Minister of Information Omran Zoobi described today's attack as“heinous and low”.

“Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Mossad are responsible for coordinating with 'terrorists' in the country” Al Jazeera quoted Zoobi. “The television will continue its work as per normal” he added.