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Rabat — The international community has reacted to the toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after rebels declared Syria has been “liberated.”
UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen said it is important to find a situation “where there is a political way out of this,” focusing on the need for stability and sovereignty in Syria.
“There are lots of wounds that need to be healed,” he said.
China also reacted to the ousting of al-Assad, saying that it is closely following the development of the situation and hopes Syria can return to stability.
“The Chinese government has actively assisted Chinese citizens who are willing to leave Syria in a safe and orderly way, and has maintained contact with… Chinese citizens who remain in Syria,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, urging relevant Syrian parties to take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he called for an emergency meeting with his embassy in Damascus, noting that he has been following with concerned attention the situation in the country.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also commented on the news, saying that the situation in Syria did not happen overnight.
“For the last 13 years, the country has been in turmoil,” noting that terror organizations must not be allowed to take advantage of the situation.
Fidan further called on opposition groups to be united.
UAE diplomatic adviser to the president, Anwar Gargash, said the unfolding events in the country are “also a clear indication of political failure and the destructive nature of conflict and chaos.”
US President Joe Biden, who is leaving the White House late January, also commented on the situation, saying that he and his team are monitoring the events.
President-elect Donald Trump added to the discourse from US politicians, saying that Assad fled Syria after Russia stopped protecting him.
Syrian rebels announced that Bashar al-Assad’s regime had been overthrown earlier today.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” the opposition group said.
Following the announcement, Syria’s Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali called for free elections to allow its people to decide their new leadership.
Videos have emerged showing Syrian rebel groups and citizens celebrating the announcement.
Footage also shows opposition groups liberating prisoners who had been held for years under al-Assad’s regime.
Social media is filled with emotional scenes of detainees being freed from overcrowded prisons, some who have been incarcerated without trial or charge for their political beliefs or opposition to the government.
Members of the Syrian opposition have also stormed the residence of President Bashar al-Assad. Reports vary on the president’s current whereabouts.
