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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”.
Paris appealed to the citizens for “unity and reconciliation, and condemned all forms of extremism, reported news agency AFP.
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”.
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.
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.
Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria President Bashar al-Assad’s long regime in a weeklong lightning offensive.
