Syria's Sana state news agency said the "heroic armed forces have returned security and stability to all of the town".
Sana said a large number of "terrorists", as the state
refers to the rebels, had been killed and many had surrendered. It said the
army was now destroying barricades and weapons caches and searching the town
for explosives.
The army said the victory was "a clear message to all those
who share in the aggression on Syria ... that we will continue our string of
victories until we regain every inch of Syrian land".
"We will not hesitate to crush with an iron fist those who
attack us.Their fate is surrender or death," it said.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported "widespread
collapse" of the rebel forces in the town, while one Hezbollah fighter
told Reuters news agency: "We did a sudden surprise attack in the early
hours and entered the town. They escaped."
In a statement also quoted by Reuters, the rebels said: "In
face of this huge arsenal and lack supplies and the blatant intervention of
Hezbollah... tens of fighters stayed behind and ensured the withdrawal of their
comrades along with the civilians."
The town, near the Lebanese border, has been the centre of fighting for more than two weeks between rebels and Syrian troops backed by fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Syrian state TV said a large number of rebels had died and many had surrendered.
The rebels said they withdrew overnight in the face of a massive assault.
The military leader of the main rebel umbrella group, the Free Syrian Army, had earlier said his fighters were prepared to take the conflict inside Lebanon in pursuit of Hezbollah fighters.
Speaking before the rebels lost Qusair, Gen Selim Idriss told the BBC that Hezbollah fighters were "invading" Syria and Lebanon was doing nothing to stop them.
Qusair lies just 10km (six miles) from the Lebanese border and along major supply routes.
Syrian pro-government forces, including Hezbollah fighters, have been battling rebels for control of the town for more than two weeks.
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