PARIS: Leaders of the Group of Seven democracies in a videoconference on Friday expressed hope that the collapse of the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad will be the start of a peaceful and orderly transition of power in the country.

The leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States discussed the Middle East situation and Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Shiite Islamic group Hezbollah took effect on Nov. 27. In Syria, where civil wars had continued since 2011, anti-government forces ousted Assad and established an interim government earlier this month.

The G-7 leaders shared the view that the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire is an important step toward peace in the region. They also threw support behind U.S.-led negotiations for helping Israel and Islamic militant group Hamas reach a ceasefire.

The virtual meeting came after the G-7 leaders issued a joint statement on Syria on Thursday, which said that they stand ready to support a transition process under a framework that leads to “nonsectarian governance.”

The statement also emphasized the importance of “holding the Assad regime accountable for its crimes” and of the G-7 countries’ readiness to work together on destroying chemical weapons stockpiles remaining in Syria. Furthermore, the document said the leaders hope to help “ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”

In Friday’s videoconference, Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru said that Tokyo is seriously concerned over progress in military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the dispatch of North Korean troops to support Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine. Japan will focus on assisting Ukraine in the energy sector, such as helping its people pass the winter, he added.

Ishiba also underlined the importance of like-minded countries further strengthening their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

He sought understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the issue of North Korea’s abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago. His G-7 colleagues showed support.

JIJI Press