Antonio Guterres called on the Syrian people to take advantage of a peaceful future after the fall of the president’s “dictatorial regime”
Geneva: After President Bashar al-Assad’s “dictatorial regime” fell abruptly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Syrians to take advantage of a “historic opportunity” for a stable and peaceful future.
Following Syrian rebels’ Sunday incursion into the capital, Damascus, which forced Assad to leave and ended his more than two-decade control in the country, the situation in Syria continues to be a major concern for all of the neighboring countries.
The UN Secretary-General also emphasized that the Syrian people should decide the country’s destiny.
“The people of Syria can now take advantage of a historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future after 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime,” Guterres said in a statement issued on Sunday. It is up to the Syrian people to decide their own destiny, and my special envoy will be assisting them in doing so.”
Guterres reiterated the UN’s commitment to assisting Syrians in creating a nation founded on justice, prosperity, and reconciliation.
“To guarantee a smooth political transition to updated institutions, a lot of effort has to be done. At this delicate moment, I once again urge composure and the avoidance of violence while defending the rights of all Syrians, without exception. I observe that, in compliance with international law, the inviolability of diplomatic and consular facilities and staff must always be maintained,” he said.
“To make sure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity,” Guterres said, “we will need the support of the international community.” Syria must regain its independence, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“The UN will honor the memory of those who have suffered the most from this conflict,” he said. We are still dedicated to supporting Syrians in creating a nation where everyone may live in freedom, prosperity, justice, and peace. This is how Syria can achieve long-term peace.
In the meanwhile, US President Joe Biden celebrated the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria on Sunday, referring to it as a “fundamental act of justice.”
He said that the Syrian people have a historic chance to reconstruct their country with the overthrow of the dictatorship.
“After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Basher Assad, his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country,” Biden said.
“The Assad government, which slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians and tortured and abused them, has finally crumbled. The long-suffering Syrian people now have a historic chance to create a brighter future for their magnificent nation, since the overthrow of Assad is a basic act of justice,” he said.
The event occurred only hours after rebels in northern Syria claimed to have taken Homs, the country’s third-largest city.
Damascus is now “without Bashar al-Assad,” according to Hadi al-Bahra Syrian, the leader of Syria’s main opposition party overseas, as reported by Reuters. This followed claims by Syrian rebels that they had taken Damascus.
“The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled,” said a statement from the armed opposition.
After a few years of dormancy, the country’s civil conflict flared up again, and in a matter of weeks, Syrian rebel groups seized control of many important towns, including Aleppo, Homs, and Daraa.
