France welcomes Assad regime's fall, calls for Syrian unity, reconciliation

France hailed the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria on Sunday, describing it as the end of over 13 years of “violent repression” against the Syrian people, Anadolu news agency reported.

In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry marked the occasion as a “historic day” while acknowledging the immense suffering endured by Syrians under Assad’s rule.

“The Syrians have suffered too much. Bashar al-Assad leaves a country drained of blood, emptied of a large part of its population who, if they were not forced into exile, were massacred, tortured, and bombed with chemical weapons by the regime and its allies. France pays tribute to all the victims of this regime,” the statement said.

France urged the Syrian people to seize the moment to heal divisions and build a peaceful future, emphasizing the importance of unity and reconciliation.

“We call for the silence of arms, the preservation of state institutions, and respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry said, advocating for a political transition that protects civilians, ensures minority rights, and upholds international law.

The French government also called on Syrians to reject extremism and work toward solidarity among all communities in the country.

France reaffirmed its support for the Syrian people since the 2011 revolution and appealed to the international community to aid in Syria’s reconciliation and reconstruction.

“We invite all our partners to do everything possible to help the Syrians find the path to reconciliation and reconstruction through an inclusive political solution, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the will of the Syrian people,” the statement concluded.

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