Egypt calls for inclusive political process in Syria to support stability, territorial integrity

ISTANBUL

Egypt called on Tuesday for the launch of an inclusive political process in Syria to support its stability and territorial integrity following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Assad, who ruled Syria since July 2000 after his father, fled to Russia where he was given asylum after anti-regime groups captured the capital Damascus on Sunday, marking the end of 61 years of the bloody Baath Party regime and 53 years of the Assad family’s rule.

“The critical stage in Syria's history requires the concerted efforts of all its people to establish an inclusive political process with purely Syrian national ownership, free from external dictates or interference," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

This political process, the ministry said, must "preserve and support the unity and stability of Syria and its people in all their components and segments, adopt a comprehensive and inclusive approach for all Syrian national forces, and align with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.”

Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, calls for a Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations to establish a credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian government, as well as setting a timeline and process for drafting a new constitution.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala