Scholz welcomes end of al-Assad's rule in Syria

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has welcomed the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria.

Scholz said on Sunday that al-Assad had brutally oppressed his people and had countless deaths on his conscience.

He stated that al-Assad had driven many people to flee Syria, with many of them arriving in Germany. "The Syrian people have suffered terrible hardships. The end of Assad's rule over Syria is therefore good news."

Now it is important for law and order to be swiftly restored in Syria, he said.

Scholz emphasized that all minorities must now and in the future enjoy protection. A political solution to the conflict in Syria is still possible, he asserted.

The German government will measure the future rulers by "whether they enable all Syrians to live in dignity and self-determination, defend Syria's sovereignty against malicious interference from third parties, and live in peace with their neighbours."

Fighters from the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have reported the capture of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Previously, various rebel groups had taken control in other provinces. In many areas, government forces withdrew without a fight. According to Russia, the Syrian ruler has fled abroad.