Need to preserve Syria’s sovereignty, says MEA

In its first reaction to the developments in Syria where rebel fighters on Sunday overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s government, India today said it stood for a “peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process that respected the interests and aspirations of all sections of society”.

Editorial: Assad’s fall

“We are monitoring the situation in Syria. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Assad fled the country after rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of Damascus, marking the end of his family’s 50-year rule. Accused of running the country in an autocratic manner, Assad and his family have taken asylum in Russia. The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Damascus was in touch with the Indian community in Syria for their “safety and security”.

On December 6, the embassy had issued an advisory asking Indian nationals to avoid travel to Syria. It had asked those who could leave the country to do so at the earliest.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement that “after 14 years of brutal civil war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, the Syria people can seize the historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future”.