All Eyes On Syria, World Leaders Hail End Of Assad Rule As Rebels Take Control Of Damascus

Last Updated:December 08, 2024, 19:45 IST

Paris appealed to the citizens for "unity and reconciliation, and condemned all forms of extremism

Syrian rebel groups storm Damascus, take over capital (AP Image)

France on Sunday welcomed the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s authoritative regime following more than a decade of “violent oppression against his own people".

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the fall of barbaric regime and sent wishes of peace to the war-torn nation’s people. He said that France would remain committed to the security of all the people in the Middle East.

“The barbaric state has fallen. Finally. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East," Macron said in a post on X.

Paris appealed to the citizens for “unity and reconciliation, and condemned all forms of extremism, reported news agency AFP.

Additionally, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the Assad’s fall as ‘good news’ and urged a political solution to stabilise for the war-stricken country.

“Bashar al-Assad oppressed his people brutally. He has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee, many of whom have arrived in Germany," Scholz said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also called Assad’s fall “a great relief" for Syrians. “The end of Assad represents for millions of people in Syria a great relief," she said, adding, “the country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals, whatever form they take."

Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas emphasised on security of the people.

Saudi Arabia also reacted to the developments in Syria saying that it has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid chaos.

“We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved," the official told Reuters, adding that the kingdom was not aware of Assad’s whereabouts. His failure to re-engage several regional actors and the opposition was to blame for his downfall, the official said

Meanwhile, Turkey urged the rebels overtaking the country not to threaten neighbouring nations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey had worked with Syrians and regional and international actors to “assure the regional countries that the new administration and new Syria will not pose a threat for its neighbours, on the contrary, the new Syria will address the existing problems, will eliminate the threats".

He further urged the Syrians displaced by years of civil war can now return to their homeland.

“Millions of Syrians who were forced to leave their homes can return to their land," Fidan said at the Doha Forum in Qatar for international dialogue, adding that it was “time to unite and reconstruct the country".

Qatar‘s foreign ministry warned Syria that it must not be allowed to descend into chaos after Islamist-led rebels declared they had taken Damascus and ousted Assad.

China said that it hopes for the country to return to stability as soon as possible. Beijing’s foreign ministry said that it is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible.

Further, United Arab Emirates urged the rebels to collaborate in order to avert a spiral into chaos.

“We hope that the Syrians will work together, that we don’t just see another episode of impending chaos," AFP quoted presidential adviser Anwar Gargash as saying.

Iran said that it expects the “friendly" relations with Syria to continue. “The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue," a foreign ministry statement said.

Diplomats from Iran were reported to have left the embassy in Damascus before it was attacked by “unknown individuals" on Sunday, Iranian state TV said.

Their departure followed calls by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday for “political dialogue" between the Syrian government and opposition groups.

Egypt urged for national consensus and reconstruction in Syria, hours after the ousting Assad by rebels.

In a statement by the foreign ministry, Egypt urged all Syrian parties “to unify objectives and priorities and initiate a comprehensive and inclusive political process that lays the groundwork for a new phase of consensus and internal peace".

Afghanistan‘s Taliban also congratulated the Syrian people and Islamist-led rebels. “We express hope that the process of power transition be carried out in a manner aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people, paving path for the establishment of an independent and service-oriented Islamic government," a foreign ministry statement said, calling for Syria to be able to “move forward free from external interference".

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner hailed Assad’s fall but raise concern over the stability of the region.

“Dictatorship and terrorism creates problems for the people of Syria, who have faced so much already," she said. “That’s why we have to have a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people."

The United Nations (UN) envoy for Syria called the rebels’ takeover “a watershed moment" for the country marred by nearly 14 years of civil war.

“Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new (chapter) — one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians," special envoy Geir Pedersen said.

“US President Joe Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," the White House said in a statement.

Meanwhile, in a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, President-elect Donald Trump said al-Assad had “fled his country" after losing the backing of Russia.

“Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer.

“There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever."

Ukraine also welcomed the ouster of Assad saying that authoritarians who rely on Moscow are destined to fall, while noting Kyiv’s support for Syria’s people.

“Assad had fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on (Russia leader Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him," foreign minister Andriy Sybiga said on social media, reaffirming Kyiv’s “support for the Syrian people".

Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria President Bashar al-Assad’s long regime in a weeklong lightning offensive.

Paris, France

News world West Hails Fall Of Assad’s Barbaric Regime, Urges Stability In Syria