US to work with partners in Syria to manage risk after Assad toppled, Biden says

The Manila Times

US to work with partners in Syria to manage risk after Assad toppled, Biden says  The United States will work with partners and stakeholders in Syria to help seize an opportunity and manage the risk, US President Joe Biden said on Sunday, December 8, after rebel fighters overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  In remarks at the White House, Biden said the United States will support Syria's neighbors through the period of transition and will assess the words and actions of rebel groups.  Biden said the United States does not officially know of Assad's whereabouts but noted reports that he fled to Moscow. He said Assad "should be held accountable."  UNRESTRICTED POOL / REUTERS VIDEO  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net    Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital  Sign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newsletters   Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #themanilatimes #worldnews #biden #usa

Transcript

00:00Good afternoon.

00:09After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian

00:14rule by Bashar Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign

00:21his office and flee the country.

00:24We're not sure where he is, but there's word that he's in Moscow.

00:29At long last, the Assad regime has fallen.

00:40As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our

00:45partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the

00:51risk.

00:54The upshot for all this is, for the first time ever, neither Russia nor Iran nor Hezbollah

01:05could defend this abhorrent regime in Syria.

01:09This is a direct result of the blows that Ukraine and Israel have delivered upon their

01:14own self-defense with unflagging support of the United States.

01:19Over the past four years, my administration has pursued a clear and principled policy

01:23toward Syria.

01:25Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East.

01:28Through this combination of support for our partners, sanctions, diplomacy, and targeted

01:34military force where necessary, we now see new opportunities opening up for the people

01:39of Syria and for the entire region.

01:42Looking ahead, the United States will do the following.

01:45First, we'll support Syria's neighbors, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel, should

01:52any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition.

01:57I'll speak with leaders of the region in the coming days.

02:00I had long discussions with all of our people earlier this morning.

02:04And I'll send senior officials from my administration to the region as well.

02:08Second, we will help ensure stability in eastern Syria, protecting our personnel against any

02:17threats, and will remain our mission against ISIS will remain maintained, including security

02:24of detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners.

02:30We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to

02:34reestablish its capabilities and to create a safe haven.

02:37We will not let that happen.

02:39A dozen of precision strikes, airstrikes within Syria targeting ISIS camps.

02:47We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations,

02:53to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign, an independent

02:59– independent, I might not say it again – sovereign Syria with a new constitution,

03:05a new government that serves all Syrians.

03:08This process will be determined by the Syrian people themselves.

03:11And the United States will do whatever we can to support them, including through humanitarian

03:16relief to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war and generations of brutality

03:22by the Assad family.

03:24And finally, we will remain vigilant.

03:28Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record

03:33of terrorism and human rights abuses.

03:36We've taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days, and

03:41they're saying the right things now.

03:44But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.

03:50And we are mindful, we are mindful that there are Americans in Syria, including those who

03:56reside there, as well as Austin Tice, who was taken captive more than 12 years ago.

04:03We remain committed to returning him to his family.

04:07Sovereign and independent – and independent, I might say it again – sovereign Syria with a new constitution.

04:14These past few days have been historic.

04:18And you know, it's in the days ahead that will determine the future of this country.

04:24We intend to approach them with strength, wisdom, and resolve.

04:29Thank you very much.

04:30God bless America, and God protect our troops.

Category

Transcript

Recommended