WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden said that Washington would engage with “all Syrian groups” over the political transition following the fall of president Bashar al-Assad.
“We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the UN, to establish a transition away from the Assad rule toward independent, sovereign” Syria “with a new constitution.”
Assad Given Asylum in Moscow
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum, Russian news agencies cited a Kremlin source as saying.
Russian official television also reported the news, which put an end to rumors regarding the whereabouts of Syria’s ex-president after opposition forces seized control of Damascus.
Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry announced that Bashar al-Assad “decided to quit the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power”.
United States
“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.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said on Sunday that United States will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of Daesh.
France
France welcomed the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad following more than a decade of “violent oppression against his own people”.
Paris appealed to Syrians for “unity and reconciliation, and to reject all forms of extremism”, foreign affairs minister spokesman Christophe Lemoine said in a statement.
China
China’s foreign ministry said Sunday it hopes Syria “returns to stability as soon as possible”, after rebels had taken Damascus and sent President Bashar al-Assad fleeing.
Beijing “is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible”, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
United Nations
The UN special envoy to Syria said the country was at “a watershed moment” Sunday, after rebels declared they had taken Damascus, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule.
Geir Pedersen in a statement described nearly 14 years of civil war in Syria as a “dark chapter that has left deep scars”.
“Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new one—one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians”, he said.
Qatar
Qatar announced that it was closely monitoring the developments in Syria, and underscored the necessity of preserving national institutions and the unity of the state to prevent it from descending into chaos.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement reiterated the state of Qatar’s stance calling for the resolution of the Syrian crisis in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and Security Council Resolution 2254, in a manner that serves the interests of the Syrian people, and preserves the unity, sovereignty, and independence of their country.
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The Ministry also called upon all parties to engage in dialogue to safeguard the lives of the citizens, protect the national institutions of the state, and ensure a better future for the brotherly Syrian people and fulfill their aspirations for development, stability, and justice.
Furthermore, the Ministry affirmed Qatar’s unwavering support for the Syrian people and their choices.
Iran
Iran in a statement expected the “friendly” ties with Syria to continue after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
“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.
Türkiye
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that the Syrian people will reshape the future of their war-torn country.
In a press briefing after collapse of Bashar al-Assad, he said millions of Syrians who were forced to flee can now return home safely.
“The demands of the Syrian people have been ignored, and the regime has been unable to provide even the most basic services,” Fidan stated. “Half of the population has been displaced, contributing to a massive migration crisis.”
He underscored Türkiye’s commitment to Syria’s national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Jordan
Jordanian government in a statement affirmed the significance of preserving the unity and security of Syria in light of the fast-developing recent events. It added that bolstering the state of security in the region “is being worked on”.
Egypt
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.”
The statement, said that Egypt affirms “its stand alongside the Syrian state and people and supports them in preserving Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.”
