00:00The situation is obviously very volatile in Syria.
00:04It is very good that Assad is gone,
00:06but it doesn't necessarily mean that what follows
00:09is settled by any means at all.
00:11It is really important we talk to our regional allies,
00:14our global allies, about the way forward,
00:16which has to be a political way forward.
00:19And that does mean, to answer your question,
00:21a rejection of terrorism, a rejection of violence.
00:23So we have to be really clear about the terms.
00:25Very early days, but they're the discussions
00:28that we're having with our allies.
00:29No decision is pending at all on this.
00:33It is far too early.
00:35At the moment, the focus has to be on talking to our allies,
00:40making sure that this is an opportunity for Syria,
00:43and therefore we have to work to make sure
00:45that it's a peaceful opportunity.
00:48Talking to our allies,
00:49making sure the civilians are protected,
00:51making sure the minorities are protected,
00:53and being absolutely clear in that red line
00:55in relation to terrorism and violence.
00:58So we mustn't get ahead of ourselves here
01:00in terms of what happens next,
01:03but the focus at the moment has to be on making sure
01:06this is a turning point for the good.
01:08We've all seen in other parts of history
01:11how where we think there's a turning point,
01:12it turns out not necessarily to be the better future
01:15that we hoped for.
01:16We've got to make sure this is different.
01:18That means working with allies to that end.
01:20And actually, I think there's a common view emerging
01:22that this must be seen as an opportunity.
01:25No tears being shed for Assad.
01:27That's for sure.
01:29But we need to make sure that it is a peaceful transition now
01:33and make sure that civilians are protected,
01:35minorities are protected in this.
01:37And that's why we're having intense discussions
01:39with allies in the region,
01:40but actually more globally, of course.
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