Biden calls Assad's fall "moment of historic opportunity"

Washington — President Biden on Sunday called the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad a "moment of historic opportunity," and he pledged to support the country and its neighbors against any threats.

"At long last, the Assad regime has fallen," Mr. Biden said at the White House, hours after opposition forces entered Damascus and took control of the country.

Mr. Biden pledged to work alongside partners and stakeholders in Syria to "help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk." The president also said he'll send senior officials to the region, help to ensure stability and protect U.S. personnel and will engage with Syrian groups to "establish a transition away from the Assad regime" and toward an independent and sovereign Syria.