BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed cautious optimism about the situation in Syria on Monday, calling for a peaceful transition of power and an inclusive, Syrian-led political process .
“This is a moment of joy but also uncertainty for the Syrian people and the region. We look forward to a peaceful transition of power and an inclusive Syrian-led political process,” he said in a statement.
It highlights the need for Syrian rebel leaders to uphold the rule of law, protect civilians and respect religious minorities during the transition.
Mark Rutte also criticizes the involvement in the Syrian conflict of Russia and Iran, the main supporters of the fallen regime of Bashar al Assad, believing that they abandoned the Syrian president as soon as he no longer served their interests.
According to Mark Rutte, Moscow and Tehran share responsibility with the Assad regime for crimes committed against the Syrian people.
(Report Lili Bayer, written by Charlotte Van Campenhout, French version Etienne Breban, edited by Sophie Louet)
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