World leaders react as Syrian rebels declare end of Assad's rule

Syrian rebels have declared the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule after taking control of Damascus, forcing him to flee. This marks a significant shift after over 13 years of civil war and decades of Assad family leadership. World leaders are responding to this development. Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasized the need for a peaceful transition, while U.S. President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the situation. Russian officials confirmed Assad's departure but did not disclose his location. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed hope for a future shaped by the Syrian people, urging unity among opposition groups. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed Assad's fall and called for a political solution to stabilize Syria.