World leaders urge non-interference, celebrations break out after Syrian regime falls - UPI.com (original) (raw)

1 of 4 | United States President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the situation in Syria in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sunday. Photo by Ron Sachs/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 8 (UPI) -- World leaders, including in the volatile Middle East, reacted after Syrians rebels seized control, toppling the long rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Also, celebrations broke out among Syrians worldwide, including in Lebanon, France, Greece, Denmark, Turkey, Spain, Britain, Germany, Austria. Many of them are refugees fleeing the Syrian regime.

Generally the leaders expressed non-interference and a peaceful transfer of power.

U.S. President Joe Biden made public remarks after meeting with his national security team Sunday morning.

"At long last the Assad regime has fallen," Biden said at the White House. "This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country.

"It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. The United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help the seize an opportunity to manage the risk."

US President Joe Biden reiterated his commitment to bringing home Americans held hostage, including freelance journalist Austin Tice taken captive more than 12 years ago.

President-elect Donald Trump took to social media on Sunday morning about the overthrow.

"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 wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"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. 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."

On Saturday, he said the United States" should have nothing to do" with conflicts involving Syria.

Russia had limited reaction on the change of power. "As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement obtained by The Guardian. "Russia did not participate in these negotiations."

Assad and his family arrived in Moscow after being granted asylum in Russia, according to Russian state media TASS, citing a source in the Kremlin.

TASS also reported Russia wants negotiations on Syria's future to take place under the aegis of the United Nations.

The United Nations will work with the Syrians on determining the country's future, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said

"The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine, and my Special Envoy [for Syria Geir Pedersen] will be working with them towards that end," he said in a statement. "There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. I reiterate my call for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians, without distinction.

"We will need the support of the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity. Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity must be restored.

"The UN will honor the memory of those who have borne the brunt of this conflict. We remain committed to helping Syrians build a country where reconciliation, justice, freedom and prosperity are shared realities for all. This is the path to sustainable peace in Syria."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was "historic day" and direct result of blows dealt to Hezbollah and Iran by Israel.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., "congratulates the Syrian-American community, the liberated people of Syria, the Muslim world, and everyone who cares about justice and freedom on the downfall of the brutal and murderous Assad regime.

"We thank God for this historic, miraculous arrival of freedom after decades of brutal oppression against the Syrian people. We pray that the Syrian people succeed in establishing a representative government that upholds justice for all its citizens, advances just policies across the region and serves as a beacon of inspiration for other oppressed people around the world."

MIDDLE EAST

Iran

The foreign ministry said it expects "friendly" relations to continue with Syria, despite the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Iran was a key backer of Assad.

"Determining Syria's fate and deciding its future is solely the responsibility of its people, free from destructive interference or external imposition," the ministry said, according to CNN. "Achieving this goal requires the swift cessation of military conflicts, prevention of terrorist activities, and the initiation of national dialogues with the participation of all segments of Syrian society. ... The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing Syria's status as an important and influential country in the West Asia region, will spare no effort to help establish security and stability in Syria. To this end, Iran will continue its consultations with all influential parties, particularly within the region."

Iraq

Iraq's spokesman has urged "non-interference in Syria's internal affairs," including foreign meddling.

Baghdad "reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians and emphasizes that Syria's security, territorial integrity, and its independence are of utmost importance - not only for Iraq but also for the stability and security of the entire region," government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said to CNN.

Afghanistan

"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, which prioritizes national reconciliation, avoids divisions and retribution, and adopts a policy of general amnesty to foster unity among all Syrians," Taliban's foreign ministry said in a CNN report.

Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a call with leaders of the army and security services. He stressed "the priority of tightening control over the border situation and distancing Lebanon from the repercussions of the developments in Syria," according to a government readout.

Jordan

King Abdullah, whose nation shares its northern border with Syria, urged stability and avoidance of further conflict in Syria.

"Chairing a National Security Council meeting, His Majesty stressed the need to safeguard Syria's security, and the safety and achievements of its citizens, and to work urgently to ensure stability and avoid any conflict that could lead to chaos," a statement from The Royal Hashemite Court said.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to "not interfere" in Syria's internal affairs and was satisfied with the "positive steps" taken to ensure the Syrian people's safety while rebels took Damascus

"The Kingdom affirms its support for the brotherly Syrian people and their choices at this critical stage in Syria's history, and calls for concerted efforts to preserve the unity of the epic Syrian people, in a way that protects them - God willing - from slipping into chaos and division," a statement from the Saudi foreign ministry obtained by CNN read.

Egypt

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: "Egypt follows with a great attention the change taking place in the Arab Republic of Syria, and affirms its support to the Syrian state and people as well as to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Egypt urged all Syrian parties to preserve the country's properties and state institutions and prioritizing the greater interest by unifying goals and priorities.

Qatar

The Foreign Ministry said it was "closely monitoring the developments in Syria" and emphasized "the necessity of preserving national institutions and the unity of the state to prevent it from sliding into chaos," according to Aljazeera.

EUROPE

Britain

Deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, called the development "welcome news" and told Sky News that Assad "wasn't exactly good to the Syrian people".

She called for a political resolution "in line with the UN resolutions", stressing that: "We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected. Far too many people have lost their lives. We need stability in that region."

France

French President Emmanuel Macron described Syria as a "barbaric state" before the takover.

"I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience," he wrote on X.com. "In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East."

Germany

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock posted on X: At this point it is impossible to assess what exactly is happening in Syria right now. But one thing is clear: The end of #Assad is a big relief for millions of people in Syria - after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime."

European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe would help to rebuild Syria.

"Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities," she said in a post on X. "The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks."

Ukraine

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised the fall, writing on X.com: "Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on [Vladimir" 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."

ASIA

Turkey

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a news conference: "Today, there is hope. The Syrian people cannot achieve this alone. The international community must support the Syrian people. ... We will continue to support a force to establish stability and security in Syria," he said.

He noted the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers' Party could take advantage of the instability in Syria.

China

The Foreign Ministry called for a return to "stability" in Syria.

"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 statement said. "We urge the relevant Syrian parties to take practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria."