Egypt calls for Syrian unity, reconstruction following Assad’s fall

Egypt called for Syrian unity and reconstruction efforts hours after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime and the opposition factions’ control of the capital, Damascus, yesterday.

In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all Syrian parties to unify their objectives and priorities and initiate a comprehensive political process to establish a new reconciliation phase and internal peace.

The ministry reiterated Egypt’s commitment to “continue working with regional and international partners to extend a helping hand, alleviate the prolonged suffering of the Syrian people, support reconstruction efforts, and facilitate the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.”

Al-Assad left office yesterday after his government fell following a lightning offensive by anti-regime forces, which began on 27 November and culminated in the fall of Damascus yesterday.

The former Syrian leader and members of his family arrived in the Russian capital, Moscow, a Kremlin source told the TASS news agency, adding: “Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum.”

His departure brought his 24-year rule and Syria’s 13-year civil war to an end. The war claimed more than 500,000 lives and displaced tens of millions.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry emphasised Cairo’s support for “the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria” and its solidarity with the Syrian state and its people.

Turkish FM: millions of Syria refugees can now return home