Egypt calls for consensus, reconstruction in Syria after Assad’s fall

CAIRO: Egypt on Sunday urged for national consensus and reconstruction in Syria, hours after the ousting of President Bashar Assad by militants who seized control of the capital Damascus.
In a statement by the foreign ministry, Egypt urged all Syrian parties “to unify objectives and priorities and initiate a comprehensive and inclusive political process that lays the groundwork for a new phase of consensus and internal peace.”
It said Egypt is committed to working with regional and international partners to help the Syrian people, facilitate reconstruction efforts and support the safe return of refugees to their homeland.
Militant group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and allied factions began a lightning offensive on November 27, seizing swathes of the country from government hands and entering Damascus early Sunday.
The Egyptian foreign ministry, in the statement, said that it affirms “its stand alongside the Syrian state and people and supports them in preserving Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.”
On Thursday, when militant forces were still advancing toward the capital Damascus, Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty expressed concern over the developments in Syria in a phone call with Syrian foreign minister Bassem Sabbagh.
He affirmed “Egypt’s position in support of the Syrian state and its national institutions.”