During a speech in Berlin, Olaf Scholz said it was important now that law and order were quickly restored in Syria: “All religious communities, all minorities must have protection now and in the future. A political solution to the conflict in Syria in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 is still possible.”
Resolution 2254 was adopted by the Security Council UN at the end of 2015. According to these plans, it is to be built in Syria new constitution, and then be held free and fair elections.
An appeal for peace and protection of minorities
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed that the international community must now support Syria as it “finally exits the cycle of war and violence” and added that the people of Syria deserve a better future. She considered it necessary to comprehensively protect ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites and Christians. She also called for an inclusive political process that would create balance between the groups.
After the fall of Assad, the United Nations called for a peaceful start to a new phase in the country.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen called for a stable political transition and stressed that state institutions must remain intact. Syria should regain its full sovereignty, independence and integrity, said a UN diplomat from Norway.
Changing approach to migrants from Syria
Constanz migration expert Daniel Thym said newspaper Die Welt that the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees should postpone all ongoing asylum procedures for Syrians for now: “The situation is too unstable and it would not be right to grant newly arrived asylum seekers a protective status that would ensure their legal stay.” .
SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth warned in Spiegel Online “against a populist debate in the style of: now everyone must return immediately.” In turn, within the CDU/CSU there have been calls for the return of refugees, provided that the situation in Syria is stable.
Joy in the Syrian diaspora
In Berlin, thousands of people celebrated the fall of the Syrian ruler. According to police approximately 5,000 people gathered at Oranienplatz in Berlin-Kreuzberg. They waved Syrian flags – often with the words “Free Syria” – while loudly shouting and singing. Drums were beaten and small firecrackers were repeatedly set off. The gathering grew in size and, according to police, turned into a parade. According to a police spokeswoman, there were no major incidents at first.
Car parades also formed on Sonnenallee in Berlin-Neukölln – a district where many Syrian refugees live. People started gathering in Neukölln on Saturday evening and overnight. The police talk about a “three-digit number” of participants. Numerous gatherings with celebrating Syrians were also held in other German cities.