Islamist-led rebels overthrew Syria’s longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a landslide offensive that a U.N. envoy called “a watershed moment” for the civil war-ravaged nation.
Here are the key reactions from around the world:
‘Return to stability’: China
The Foreign Ministry said, “Beijing is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria will return to stability as soon as possible.”
‘Time for unity’: France
Welcoming Assad’s ouster, France called on the Syrian people to “reject all forms of extremism”.
Foreign Minister spokesman Christophe Lemoine urged a peaceful political transition, saying, “Although the (Assad) regime has never stopped pitting Syrians against each other, and Syria remains fractured and fractured, the time for unity has come.” Has gone.”
‘Complete protection for minorities’: Germany
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, “The country must no longer fall into the hands of other radicals, in whatever form they may take.”
He urged “full protection for ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites or Christians” and political inclusion.
‘Political dialogue’: Iran
Iranian state TV said diplomats from Assad’s ally Iran were reported leaving the embassy in Damascus before they were attacked by “unknown individuals” on Sunday.
His departure followed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s call on Saturday for “political dialogue” between the Syrian government and opposition groups.
‘Country in turmoil’: Türkiye
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the overthrow of the Assad regime was not sudden, but was the result of a fierce civil war.
“Of course, this did not happen overnight. The country has been in turmoil for the last 13 years,” Fidan told the conference in Doha.
‘Work together’: UAE
A senior UAE official on Sunday urged Syrians to cooperate to prevent a situation of chaos.
“We hope that the Syrian people will work together so that we do not have to see another episode of impending chaos,” presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
‘Political solution’: UK
Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told Sky News that although Assad was “absolutely no good” to the Syrian people, “we need stability in that region”.
“Dictatorship and terrorism create problems for the Syrian people, who have already suffered a lot,” he said. “So we have to find a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people.”
‘Vigilant hope’: United Nations
The UN envoy for Syria called the rebel capture “a watershed moment” for the country torn by nearly 14 years of civil war.
Special envoy Geir Pedersen said, “Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new (chapter) – one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians.”
‘Russia is no longer interested’: Trump
Newly elected US President Donald Trump blamed Russia’s loss of support for Assad’s fall.
“Assad is gone,” he said on his Truth social platform. “Their protector, Russia, Russia, Russia under Vladimir Putin, was no longer interested in protecting them.”
His comments follow an earlier statement from National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett that President Joe Biden was keeping a close eye on “extraordinary events” occurring and remained in constant contact with regional partners.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)