Keir Starmer is on a whirlwind tour of the Middle East today as the world reels from the dramatic downfall of the Syrian regime.
The PM is visiting Abu Dhabi, the UAE and Saudi Arabia on a trip that was originally intended to be banging the drum for British business.
But the end of Assad’s rule has been dominating, with Sir Keir hailing it as a ‘very good thing’ – while urging the restoration of ‘peace and security’.
Syrians have been celebrating the overthrow of Assad after 13 years of civil war sparked by the president’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters following the Arab Spring.
A coalition of rebels seized control of the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive overnight on Sunday, 11 days after launching a major operation.
Assad has been granted asylum by Russia, according to the Tass state news agency, where he met his British-born wife Asma and their children – who had already fled Syria.
Sir Keir welcomed the end of Assad’s rule, but said it was ‘early days’ yet in deciding how Britain would choose to engage with those who have overthrown him.
The rebels’ efforts were led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group which is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden.
Syrians have been celebrating the overthrow of Assad after 13 years of civil war sparked by the president’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters
Keir Starmer at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi this morning
Sir Keir welcomed the end of Assad’s rule, but said it was ‘early days’ yet in deciding how Britain would choose to engage with those who have overthrown him
Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July
HTS’s leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani cut ties with al Qaida years ago, and is said to embrace tolerance of different religious groups and communities.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said in a round of interviews this morning that the UK would look at the status of HTS ‘in the days to come’.
Sir Keir urged all sides in the conflict to protect civilians and ensure aid could reach the vulnerable, and also insisted on the need for a ‘political solution’ to safeguard Syria’s future.
‘The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,’ the Prime Minister said.
The PM added: ‘Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored.
Asked whether he would be wiling to deal with HTS, Sir Keir told broadcasters in Abu Dhabi: ‘It’s very early days at the moment.
‘We do need a political solution, and that’s what we are talking to regional allies about. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people.’
The Home Office recognised that HTS’s relationship with al Qaida had changed, as there had been a ‘splintering between the two organisations’.
A spokesperson for the department said the Government did not routinely comment on whether a group was ‘being considered for proscription or deproscription’.
Former spy chief Sir John Sawers said it would be ‘rather ridiculous’ if the UK was unable to engage with HTS because of the ban.
The ex-head of MI6 also told Sky News: ‘I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about Tahrir al-Sham and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list.’
A Cabinet minister has suggested that people cannot be ‘sure about what will happen next’ in Syria.
Mr McFadden told Times Radio that the situation should be monitored ‘very closely’.
He said: ‘I don’t think anyone can be sure about what will happen next. It’s been a very fast-moving situation over the last week or so…
‘I think there’ll be mixed feelings after what’s happened.
A woman celebrates the defeat of the Assad regime in the city of Qamishli
‘The Assad regime was a brutal regime responsible for killing a huge amount of its own people, responsible for many people fleeing Syria over the years, so of course there’ll be relief that the Assad regime has fallen.
‘But that will also be mixed with huge uncertainty.’
Mr McFadden added: ‘Will people’s rights be respected? […] That applies to women, it applies to religious minorities. What will the nature of this regime be?’
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