Syria's Caretaker Prime Minister: Now is the time to restore stability and tranquility

Syria's interim Prime minister Omar al-Bashir says it is time for the country to return to "stability and tranquility." The Assad regime, which had ruled Syria for decades, collapsed two days ago in a lightning assault by rebel forces.

According to a statement released by the Syrian opposition forces on Tuesday (December 10), Bashir will serve as caretaker prime minister until March 1, 2025.

"The time has come for the Syrian people to enjoy stability and tranquility," al-Bashir told Qatar's Al Jazeera television in his first visit since his appointment.

A senior member confirmed to NBC News that Assad is in Moscow. A coalition of rebels captured the capital, Damascus, on December 8, ending five decades of brutal rule by the Assad regime.

Ahrar al-Chulani, the leader of HTS, which led the rebel offensive, announced talks on a power transfer and vowed to hold former senior officials accountable for torture and war crimes.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken called on all countries to support an "inclusive" political process in Syria and said the United States would eventually recognize the Syrian government if it met those criteria.

Blinken said Syria's future government should be "credible, inclusive and non-sectarian."