World powers vowed on Sunday to work for stability in Syria and the surrounding region after Islamist-led rebels ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.
Here is a summary of the major reactions:
High alert: Russia
Assad ally Moscow said Russian troops in Syria were on high alert but rebels had “guaranteed” the security of its military bases in the country.
Ahead of reports that Assad had fled to Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Syria should not be allowed to fall into the hands of a “terrorist group”.
‘Assad must be held accountable’: America
US President Joe Biden said, “We will engage with all Syrian groups … to establish a transition from the Assad regime to an independent, sovereign Syria.”
Asked by reporters what should happen to the ousted president, who has reportedly fled to Moscow, Biden said “Assad must be held accountable.”
‘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.”
‘Friendly relations’: Iran
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it hoped “friendly” relations with Syria would continue.
It said it would take an “appropriate approach” towards Syria in line with the behavior of “influential actors” in Damascus.
‘Heal the wounds’: Türkiye
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which has supported rebel movements in Syria, would “help heal Syria’s wounds and guarantee its unity, integrity and security”.
‘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.”
End of the ‘Barbarian’ State: France
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s “barbaric state” in Syria.
“I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. At this moment of uncertainty, I send them my best wishes for peace, freedom and unity,” he wrote on Twitter.
‘Contribution’: Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who welcomed Assad’s fall as “good news”, said Germany was ready to “make its contribution” to a political solution to bring peace back to the war-torn country, without elaborating.
“Bashar al-Assad has brutally tortured his own people, with countless lives left on his conscience,” the German head of state said.
‘Work together’: UAE
A senior UAE official 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.
‘Peace and stability’: UK
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for a peaceful and stable Syria, urging the protection of civilians and minorities.
The prime minister, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, said he was “talking to regional partners”, calling Assad’s removal a “real opportunity”.
‘Long overdue’: EU
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen similarly said the EU would help rebuild “a Syrian state that will protect all minorities”.
The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas described Assad’s fall as “a positive and long-awaited development” which “also shows the weakness of Assad’s supporters, Russia and Iran”.
Shock to Iran: Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Assad’s overthrow as the fall of “the central link in Iran’s axis of evil.”
He called it “a direct consequence of the strikes we have taken on Iran and Hezbollah,” the group Israel is bombing in Lebanon.
Don’t trust Putin: Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed Assad’s departure, saying authoritarians relying on Putin’s support were certain to fall, while he stressed Kiev’s support for the Syrian people.
‘Relief’: Netherlands
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof described Assad’s overthrow as “a relief for all those who suffered under his brutal dictatorship”.
Shoof urged “peaceful transition and restoration of stability while ensuring respect for all minorities in the country.”
Independent Islamic government: Taliban
The Taliban government of Afghanistan congratulated the Syrian people and the rebels, hoping the change would create “an independent and service-oriented Islamic government” and Syria “free from outside interference.”
‘Free will’: Iraq
Government spokesman Basim Alawadi said Iraq “urged to respect the free will of all Syrians and stressed that Syria’s security, territorial integrity and independence are paramount”.
‘Extreme needs’: Red Cross
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said the Syrian people faced “extreme and urgent needs” after “immense suffering” caused by more than a decade of conflict.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
