SCOTLAND'S First Minister has called for a “peaceful and inclusive” solution to the situation in Syria following the ousting of Bashar Assad.
The dictator fled to Russia earlier this month after being overthrown by rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – which is banned in the UK.
The group named Mohammed al-Bashir the caretaker prime minister until March.
In an open letter to the Syrian people, including the more than 3000 living in Scotland as refugees, John Swinney said: “Since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime on December 8, I know that Syrians in Scotland and around the world have been coming to terms with what these changes will mean for them, their families and the future of their homeland.
“Hope sits alongside cautious optimism for the future, however many people will naturally also be feeling concern and anxiety.
“As the situation evolves, I join the international community in calling for a peaceful and inclusive political solution that puts the Syrian people first and upholds the rights of all Syrians.”
The First Minister added that he was “proud” of Scotland’s local authorities in taking in refugees, adding he hoped those living in the country knew they were “valued members of our communities”.
“The contribution that Syrians have made in Scotland has been invaluable and our communities have been enriched by the skills you have brought as you have integrated into daily life, working and raising your families here,” he said.
Swinney also stressed the UK Government pause to the processing of asylum applications for people from Syria should not continue longer than necessary.
“They highlighted anxiety about the decision of the UK Government to pause the processing of asylum applications from Syrians,” he wrote.
“While I understand the need for review, given the evolving situation, I am clear that people seeking asylum should not be kept in limbo for any longer than necessary and must be given support to integrate into communities.
“As asylum and immigration are reserved to the UK Government, I have written this week to the Home Secretary to flag these issues in response to the request from the Syrian community representatives that I met.”
