Several regional and international key players reacted to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after armed groups, now serving as the transitional government forces of Syria, seized control of Damascus on Sunday.

Biden to convene National Security advisors on Syria

US President Joe Biden is set to meet with his national security advisors on Sunday to discuss the situation in Syria, where the armed opposition has announced the capture of Damascus and the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.

"The President will meet with his national security team this morning to receive an update on the situation in Syria," National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett confirmed on X.

Guterres says Syria's future must be determined by its people

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the future of Syria must be determined by its people, with the United Nations providing support through its special envoy, Geir Pedersen, who  "will be working with them towards that end."

"There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. I reiterate my call for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians," Guterres said in a statement.

EU offers support for rebuilding an inclusive Syria

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the EU's readiness to rebuild Syria, emphasizing the need to protect minorities within the country.

"Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities," she wrote on X.

The EU, she added, is engaging with key leaders in Europe and the region while closely monitoring the rapidly evolving developments.

Arab League pledges support for Syria, calls for lifting sanctions

The League of Arab States called for global support for the Syrian people during the country’s transitional phase, including the removal of international sanctions, as part of efforts to ensure stability.

"The Secretary General calls on all powers interested in achieving regional and international stability to support the Syrian people during this challenging transitional period, including by lifting any sanctions," the organization said in a statement. 

Describing this as one of the most pivotal and challenging periods in Syria’s modern history, the Arab League emphasized the importance of tolerance, dialogue, and prioritizing national interests.

It also called on Syrians to act responsibly and work toward a peaceful and comprehensive transfer of power.

The League reiterated the consensus among Arab nations on the importance of preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while rejecting foreign interference.

Saudi Arabia calls for support to Syria

Saudi Arabia has voiced its support for the Syrian people at what it described as a "critical stage" in the country’s history.

The Kingdom expressed satisfaction with the “positive steps” taken to ensure the safety of the Syrian people and called on the international community to support Syria without interfering in its internal affairs.

Iraq calls for respecting "free will" of all Syrians

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Iraq called for the respect of the "free will" of all Syrians and the preservation of the country's territorial integrity.

"Iraq reaffirms the necessity of respecting all Syrians' free will and emphasizes that Syria's security, territorial integrity, and independence are of paramount importance," government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said in a statement.

Egypt calls for consensus and reconstruction 

Egypt urged national consensus and reconstruction in Syria, hours after al-Assad was ousted and new government forces took control of Damascus. 

Egypt's Foreign Ministry encouraged all Syrian groups "to unify objectives and priorities and initiate a comprehensive and inclusive political process that lays the groundwork for a new phase of consensus and internal peace."

It said in a statement that Egypt is dedicated to collaborating with regional and international partners to assist the Syrian people, enable reconstruction activities, and promote the safe return of refugees to their homes, explaining that it reaffirmed it stood alongside the Syrian state and people and "supports them in preserving Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity."

During a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassem Sabbagh, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Ati expressed concern over the situation in Syria. He reiterated "Egypt's position in support of the Syrian state and its national institutions."

Turkey offers to help 'guarantee security' in Syria

Turkey, on its part, said it intended to assist in "guaranteeing security" in Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

"Turkey is ready to take responsibility for all that is necessary to heal Syria's wounds and guarantee its unity, integrity, and security," Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in a statement on X.

"We will intensify our work on this matter with countries in the region and with international actors in the coming days." 

Turkey has supported numerous opposition factions in Syria and welcomed the rapid advance of militants across Syria. 

He previously stated, during a meeting with his Russian and Iranian counterparts on Saturday, that international and regional parties must enable a seamless transition from the Assad administration. 

Fidan also stated that Turkey will endeavor to prevent Kurdish separatists from increasing their influence in Syria.

Only Syrians can decide their fate sans foreign meddling: Iran

The Iranian Foreign Ministry commented on the events in Syria, affirming that only the Syrian people can decide the fate of their nation.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday, calling for the creation of an inclusive administration in Syria, with involvement from all segments of Syrian society.

"Achieving this goal requires an immediate end to military conflicts, preventing terrorist acts, and initiating national dialogue with the participation of all parts of Syrian society to form an inclusive government that represents all Syrian people," according to the statement. 

It reaffirmed Iran's support for international efforts based on UN Resolution 2254 to pursue Syria's political process and its continued constructive engagement with the UN. It highlighted the long-standing, friendly relations between Iran and Syria, expecting these ties to persist based on mutual interests, benefits, and adherence to international legal obligations.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stressed Syria's importance in the West Asian region and affirmed Iran's commitment to supporting security and stability in Syria, as well as holding consultations with key regional parties and monitoring developments in Syria and the region, adapting its approach based on the actions of influential actors in Syria's political and security landscape.

Algeria calls for unity, stability

"Algeria is following with great interest the developments of the recent situation and the rapid changes unfolding in the Syrian Arab Republic," the Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It called on all Syrian parties to unite and achieve peace and work to preserve the "security and stability of the homeland and the unity and integrity of its territories," the Ministry added, affirming the country's support for the "brotherly Syrian people" and calling for dialogue among the Syrian people, with all its components, away from foreign interference.

Russia, US, and China react 

Moscow, a key ally of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, reported that Russian troops stationed in Syria were on high alert, although it emphasized that there was "no serious threat" to them. Before reports that al-Assad had fled, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Syria must not fall into the hands of a "terrorist group".

Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump attributed al-Assad's downfall to the loss of Russian support, stating, "His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer." 

In China, the Foreign Ministry expressed concern, stating that Beijing was "closely following the development of the situation in Syria" and hoped for Syria's swift return to stability.

The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, described the ousting as a "watershed moment" after nearly 14 years of war, expressing cautious hope for a new chapter of peace, reconciliation, and inclusion for all Syrians.

UAE, UK, and EU comment

A senior United Arab Emirates official, Anwar Gargash, urged Syrians to collaborate to prevent a descent into chaos, emphasizing the need for unity to avoid further turmoil. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, he called on Syrians to work together and avoid another episode of instability.

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner acknowledged that while Bashar al-Assad was not "exactly good" to the Syrian people, stability in the region was crucial. She stressed the importance of a political solution to address the challenges faced by Syria.

The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, hailed al-Assad’s ousting as a "positive and long-awaited development," interpreting it as a "sign of the weakness" of Russia and Iran. She emphasized that the EU's priority was to ensure regional security.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed al-Assad's departure, noting that "authoritarian leaders reliant on Putin's support are bound to fall," while reaffirming Kiev’s support for the Syrian people. 

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris highlighted the importance of protecting civilians in Syria, calling for a peaceful transition and free, fair elections as key steps forward.