Western leaders welcomed the fall of the Assad regime in Syria

President Assad left the country, and later on December 8, the Russian news agency TASS reported that the former Syrian leader had been granted asylum in Moscow.
Western leaders described the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria as a historic moment and said he was responsible for decades of suffering for the Syrian people.
"The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It is a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria," US President Joe Biden said.
He said the United States would commit to the transition from an authoritarian regime to an independent, sovereign" Syria "with a new constitution." But the US president stressed that the rebels who have taken over the country have "their own dark record of terrorism".
"Some of the rebel groups that toppled Assad have their own dark record of terrorism and human rights abuses," Biden said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the overthrow of the Syrian regime.
"The Syrian people have suffered too long under the barbaric Assad regime and we welcome his withdrawal. Our focus now is on ensuring that a political solution prevails and peace and stability are restored. We call on all parties to protect civilians and minorities and ensure that essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the hours and days ahead," the Prime Minister said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said countless fates weigh on Bashar al-Assad's conscience and he is responsible for why many people have to leave Syria.
"Bashar al-Assad has brutally oppressed his people. He has countless lives on his conscience and has caused many people to flee, many of whom have arrived in Germany. The end of Assad's rule in Syria is good news. It is now important that law and order is quickly restored in Syria. All religious communities and all minorities must be protected now and in the future," Scholz said.
"We support all Syrians who are full of hope for a free, just and safe Syria, whether they live in Syria itself or abroad," the chancellor said, adding that Syria should strive for an orderly and peaceful transition process.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Syria's future must be determined by Syrians, adding that UN Special Representative for Syria Geir O. Pedersen will continue to provide support in this regard.
"After 14 years of brutal war and the end of a dictatorial regime, the Syrian people face a historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future," the Secretary-General said.
Noting that "a lot of work" lies ahead to ensure an orderly political transition, Guterres said:
"I reiterate my call for calm, non-violence and the protection of the rights of all Syrians without discrimination at this delicate moment."
The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allied factions have launched a lightning offensive since 27 November, seizing vast swathes of the country from government hands, including the major cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs, and entering the capital Damascus on 8 December.
President Assad left the country, and later on 8 December, the Russian news agency TASS reported that the former Syrian leader had been granted asylum in Moscow and was currently in the Russian capital with his family. | BGNES