UK PM Keir Starmer welcomes collapse of Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed the collapse of Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and called for civilians to be protected after rebel forces took control of Damascus, Report informs via The Guardian.

In a statement hours before his first trip to the Middle East, the prime minister said the developments in Syria were “unprecedented” and called for a political solution to the vacuum in power.

“The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” Starmer said. “Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails and peace and stability is restored.”

He called on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and to ensure aid can reach the most vulnerable, and said the UK government was speaking to its partners in the region.