Here are key reactions from around the world:

China: 'Return to stability'
 

Beijing "is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible", the foreign ministry said.

France: 'Time for unity' 
 

Welcoming Assad's ouster, France called on Syrians to "reject all forms of extremism".

"While the (Assad) regime has never ceased to pit Syrians against each other, and Syria is fractured and fragmented, the time for unity has come," foreign affairs minister spokesman Christophe Lemoine said, urging a peaceful political transition.

Germany: 'Full protection for minorities'
 

"The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals, whatever form they take," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

She urged "full protection for ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites or Christians" and political inclusivity.

Iran: 'Political dialogue'
 

In its first response to developpemnet in syria, Iran reaffirmed its steadfast and fundamental stance on respecting Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.

“We emphasize that the Syrian people are the ones who determine their country's fate, free from any destructive interventions or foreign impositions,” the statement read.

The ministry added that Iran will monitor development in Syria and the region closely, and will adopt appropriate approaches and positions.

Diplomats from Iran were reported to have left the embassy in Damascus before it was attacked by "unknown individuals" on Sunday, Iranian state TV said.

Their departure followed calls by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday for "political dialogue" between the Syrian government and opposition groups.

Turkey: 'Country in turmoil'
 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the overthrow of the Assad regime was not sudden but rather the result of the grinding civil war.

"Of course, this didn't happen overnight. For the last 13 years, the country has been in turmoil," Fidan said at conference in Doha.

UAE: 'Work together'
 

A senior United Arab Emirates official urged Syrians to collaborate in order to avert a spiral into chaos.

"We hope that the Syrians will work together, that we don't just see another episode of impending chaos," presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.

UK: 'Political solution'
 

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told Sky News that while Assad "wasn't exactly good" to the Syrian people, "we need stability in that region".

"Dictatorship and terrorism creates problems for the people of Syria, who have faced so much already," she said. "That's why we have to have a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people."

UN: 'Cautious hope'
 

The UN envoy for Syria called the rebel takeover "a watershed moment" for the country marred by nearly 14 years of civil war.

"Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new (chapter), one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians," special envoy Geir Pedersen said.

Trump: 'Russia not interested any longer'
 

US President-elect Donald Trump attributed the fall of Assad to losing the backing of Russia.

"Assad is gone," he said on his Truth Social platform. "His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer."

His comments followed an earlier statement from National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett that President Joe Biden was keeping a close eye on "extraordinary events" transpiring and remained in constant contact with regional partners.

Iraq: 'Syrians free will'
 

Iraq urged respect for the "free will" of all Syrians and the country's territorial integrity.

"Iraq reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians and emphasizes that the security, territorial integrity, and independence of Syria are of paramount importance," government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement.

Egypt: 'Call for Consensus and Reconstruction'
 

Egypt on Sunday urged for national consensus and reconstruction in Syria, hours after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

In a statement by the foreign ministry, Egypt urged all Syrian parties "to unify objectives and priorities and initiate a comprehensive and inclusive political process that lays the groundwork for a new phase of consensus and internal peace".

Egypt said it is committed to working with regional and international partners to help the Syrian people, facilitate reconstruction efforts, and support the safe return of refugees to their homeland.

Jordan: 'Protect Syria's security'
 

Jordan's King Abdullah II said his government "stands by its Syrian brothers and respects their will and choices."

According to a royal statement, the king told his National Security Council that there was a "need to protect Syria's security, its citizens" and to work towards "stability and avoid any conflict that may lead to chaos".

Qatar: 'Prevent Syria from descend into chaos'
 

Qatar's foreign ministry warned Syria must not be allowed to descend into chaos after Islamist-led insurgents had taken Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

The Gulf emirate said it was "closely monitoring the developments in Syria" and emphasised "the necessity of preserving national institutions and the unity of the state to prevent it from sliding into chaos".

Afghanistan: 'Congratulates to Syrian people' 
 

Afghanistan's Taliban government on Sunday congratulated the Syrian people and Islamist-led insurgents for taking Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

"We express hope that the process of power transition is carried out in a manner aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people, paving a path for the establishment of an independent and service-oriented Islamic government," a foreign ministry statement said, calling for Syria to be able to "move forward free from external interference".

Ukraine: 'Dictators destined to fall'
 

Ukraine welcomed the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, saying that authoritarians who rely on Moscow are destined to fall while noting Kyiv's support for Syria's people.

"Assad had fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him," foreign minister Andriy Sybiga said on social media, reaffirming Kyiv's "support for the Syrian people".

Russia: 'High alert'
 

Assad's ally Moscow said Russian troops on their bases in Syria were on high alert but that there was "no serious threat" to them.

Prior to reports that Assad had fled, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Syria must not be allowed to fall into the hands of a "terrorist group".

EU: 'Long-awaited'
 

The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas hailed Assad's fall as "a positive and long-awaited development". She said "it also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran."

She added that the EU's priority was to "ensure security" in the region.

Israel: 'Blow to Iran'
 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Assad's overthrow as the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil".

He called it "a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah."

Spain: 'Regional stability'
 

Spain's foreign ministry said it supports a peaceful a "political transition" in Syria that brings stability to the region.

Ireland: 'Protect civilians'
 

Irish prime minister Simon Harris said the protection of civilians in Syria was "paramount" and urged a "peaceful transition as well as free and fair elections".