(Reuters) -Following are reactions from around the world to events in Syria.
Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad and seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family’s decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.
IRAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
The ministry said in statement Iran respects Syria’s unity and national sovereignty and called for “the swift end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist actions, and the commencement of national dialogue” with all sectors of Syrian society.Â
Tehran said it would continue to support international mechanisms for pursuing the political process, adding that long-standing and friendly relations between the Iranian and Syrian nations are expected to continue.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
The fall of Assad, a major link in the Iranian axis, is an historic day and a direct result of blows dealt to Hezbollah and Iran by Israel, Netanyahu said.Â
“We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border,” he added.Â
U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
“President 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.
U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success.”
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
The ministry said in a statement, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left office and departed the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power.
The ministry did not say where Assad was now and said Russia has not taken part in the talks around his departure. It said Russia’s military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Moscow is in touch with all Syrian opposition groups and urges all sides to refrain from violence.
IRAQI GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said Iraq was closely following developments and reaffirmed the importance of not interfering in the internal affairs of Syria, or supporting one party in favour of another.
JORDAN’S KING ABDULLAH
King Abdullah said Jordan respected the choices of the Syrian people. He urged the avoidance of any conflict in Syria that might lead to chaos and stressed the need to protect the security of his country’s northern neighbour, according to a statement published by the Royal Hashemite Court.
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
“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,” Macron said in a post on X social media.
“France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East.”
QATAR FOREIGN MINISTRY
Qatar’s foreign ministry renewed its call to end the crisis in Syria along the lines of the 2015 U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 which laid out the steps for a ceasefire and political transition.
The foreign ministry said it is following developments in Syria with interest and called for the preservation of the unity of the state.
SAUDI ARABIAÂ
Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid a chaotic outcome for the country, a Saudi official told Reuters.
“We have been in contact with all actors in the region. We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved,” the official said, adding that the kingdom was not aware of Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts.
FOREIGN MINISTRY OF EGYPT
Egypt has called on all parties in Syria to preserve the capabilities of the state and national institutions, the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
The foreign ministry affirmed its support for the Syrian people and the country’s sovereignty and unity.
TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN
Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country, today there is hope, Fidan said in a press conference in Doha.
The Syrian people cannot do this alone. Turkey attaches importance to Syrian territorial integrity. A new Syrian administration must be established inclusively, there should be no desire for revenge. Turkey calls on all actors to act with prudence and to be watchful. Terrorist organisations must not be allowed to take advantage of this situation. Opposition groups must be united. We will work for stability and safety in Syria.
The new Syria should not pose a threat to neighbours, it should eliminate threats. Any extension of the outlawed PKK militia cannot be considered a legitimate counterpart in Syria.
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANDRIY SYBIHA
“Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. The main goal now is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect its people from violence.”
KONSTANTIN KOSACHYOV, RUSSIAN LAWMAKER
Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale civil war alone, deputy chairman of Russia’s upper house of parliament Konstantin Kosachyov said, the Interfax news agency reported.
AFGHANISTAN TALIBAN ADMINISTRATION’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:Â
“Afghanistan congratulates the leadership of the movement and the people of Syria on the recent developments, which have resulted in the removal of key factors contributing to conflict & instability.”
“The capital, Damascus, has come under control of Syrian people under the leadership of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and we express hope that the remaining phases of the revolution will be managed effectively to establish a peaceful, unified, & stable governance system.”
U.S. PENTAGON OFFICIAL DANIEL SHAPIRO
“The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State,” Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain.
Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms.
GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ANNALENA BAERBOCK:
“It is impossible to say exactly what is happening in Syria now. But one thing is clear: for millions of people in Syria, the end of Assad means the first big sigh of relief after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime.”
“Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He must finally be held accountable for this.
“The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals – regardless of the guise. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to live up to their responsibility for all Syrians. This includes the comprehensive protection of ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites or Christians and an inclusive political process that creates a balance between the groups.”Â
GERMAN CHANCELLOR, OLAF SCHOLZ:
“Bashar al Assad has brutally oppressed his own people, has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee Syria, many of whom have also come to Germany. The Syrian people have experienced appalling suffering. The end of Assad’s rule over Syria is therefore good news.Â
“What matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. All religious communities, all minorities must enjoy protection now and in the future.”Â
ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANTONIO TAJANI
“We are calling for a peaceful handover between the fallen regime and the new reality, so for a peaceful rather than military transition. It seems to me that at the moment things are going in this direction,” Tajani said in a press conference.Â
U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA GEIR PEDERSENÂ
Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen underscores the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place, a statement said.
He urged all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society, adding he stands ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future.
“Today marks a watershed moment in Syria’s history – a nation that has endured nearly 14 years of relentless suffering and unspeakable loss… This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new one—one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians.”
U.N. AID CHIEF TOM FLETCHER:
“Events in Syria moving at remarkable pace. More than decade of conflict has displaced millions. Now many more are in danger.
We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can to support people in need, including reception centres – food, water, fuel, tents, blankets”.
BRITAIN’S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, ANGELA RAYNER
“Dictatorship and terrorism create problems for the people of Syria who have faced so much already and also destabilises the region. That’s why we have to have a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people. That’s what we want to see.”
“That’s the type of democracy that we say is right for the world, and that, hopefully, is what the Syrian people will get.
“If Assad has gone, that’s a welcome change, but what comes next has to be a political solution, and they have to be working in the interests of the Syrian people.”
(Compiled by Reuters)
