Rebels work to form government after Assad ouster; UN Security Council convenes over Syria situation

With the mood in Damascus still celebratory, Assad’s prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, agreed to hand power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, an administration based in rebel-held territory in northwest Syria

The lightning overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad left Syrians, countries in the region and world powers nervous on Tuesday (December 10, 2024) about what comes next as the rebel alliance took its first steps in a government transition.

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The United Nations Security Council met behind closed doors late on Monday, and diplomats said they were still in shock at how quickly Assad's overthrow unfolded over 12 days, after a 13-year civil war that was locked in stalemate for years.

"Everyone was taken by surprise, everyone, including the members of the council. So we have to wait and see and watch ... and evaluate how the situation will develop," Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters after the body met.

Russia played a major role in supporting Assad's government and helping it fight the rebels. The Syrian leader fled Damascus for Moscow on Sunday, ending more than 50 years of brutal rule by his family.

Also read: European countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions after Assad’s fall

With the mood in Damascus still celebratory, Assad's prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, on Monday agreed to hand power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, an administration based in rebel-held territory in northwest Syria.