Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has noted the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the huge relief this has brought to the many victims of that regime.

He said that the international community must work together to uphold international law and the UN charter in Syria and across the region.

Deputy Carthy said:

“The collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government has brought huge relief to the victims of that regime.

“There is now an onus on the international community to ensure that the developments of recent days lead to a new landscape for the future of Syria, one determined by the people of that country.

“In order for that opportunity to be realised it is imperative that the international community work together to ensure that international law and the UN charter are fully respected and upheld.

“The imperative of peace and stability in Syria and across the region can only be achieved on the basis of the principles of democracy, national integrity and self-determination, and through multilateralism.

“Ireland should use its influence in international bodies, particularly the United Nations, to champion these principles.”