This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the city view in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital of Damascus at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Later on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of al-Assad's government. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

 
Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday said China is closely monitoring the developments in the situation in Syria and hopes that stability can be restored as soon as possible. The situation in Syria has undergone dramatic changes with the opposition forces took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

"The Chinese government has actively assisted willing Chinese citizens in safely and orderly leaving Syria, maintained contact with those who remain in the country, and provided safety guidance. We urge the relevant parties in Syria to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in the country. At present, the Chinese Embassy in Syria remains operational, and we will continue to make every effort to assist Chinese citizens in need," Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. 

Syrian opposition forces have stormed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus as they declared the end of President Bashar al-Assad's government, according to Daily Mail.

The Iranian Embassy in Damascus has also been stormed by opposition forces, according to the Iranian news channel Press TV.

A video showed Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali being escorted by opposition forces in Damascus on Sunday, purportedly to a hotel to hand over government authority, according to CNN news.

Jalali said the government was ready to "extend its hand" to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government, the Associated Press said.

"I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country," Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property, according to the AP.

At an earlier time, Jalali, told a Saudi-owned news channel in a phone interview that he last spoke with President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday, He has not been able to reach him since. The opposition forces that entered Damascus have said they will work with al-Jalali.

Earlier on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

A man in military fatigues, flanked by armed fighters, read the statement on air, calling it "Statement No. 1." He claimed that opposition units captured Damascus.

Global Times