KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called on all parties involved in the Syrian conflict to engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue as part of efforts to achieve recovery and ensure long-term peace and stability in the nation.
Wisma Putra in a statement said they are closely monitoring developments in Syria and calls for the importance of a sustainable resolution grounded in international law, the United Nations Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions.
"Malaysia believes that protecting key national institutions as well as the welfare and interests of the Syrian people must be prioritised during this transitional period.
"This must be done while fully respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria."
Malaysia also reaffirmed its support for the Syrian people's right to determine their future in line with their legitimate aspirations.
Previously, it was reported that Islamist-led rebels declared that they had taken Damascus in a lightning offensive yesterday, sending its president Bashar Al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria.
Bashar's departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group launched its campaign challenging more than five decades of rule by the Assad family.
Bashar, who had ruled Syria since 2000 after his father's death, has reportedly fled the country following negotiations for a peaceful handover of power, which Russia claimed he had ordered before stepping down.
His tenure was marked by violent suppression of pro-democracy protests starting in 2011, which escalated into a devastating civil war.
The conflict led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.