The Dictator's Grave Burns...Middle East and West "will help Syria's new government"

[Anchor]
In Syria, where rebels have won after a long civil war, the shadow of a dictatorship is showing everywhere.

The Middle East and the West have said they will actively help the newly launched Syrian government to calm social chaos as soon as possible.

Reporter Lee Kyung-ah reports.

[Reporter]
Syrian rebels with guns enter a palatial building.

This is the tomb of former President Hafez al-Assad, who handed over 30 years of dictatorship to his son.

The son has defected to Russia, and his father's last shelter goes up in flames.

[Syrian Rebel] God is great. Breaking down the tomb of Hafez al-Assad, a criminal, traitor, and dictator. You're watching the dog's grave burn.

Al-Assad's government, which lost to the rebels, set fire to various parts of the city's buildings and left.

This included a drug manufacturing plant suspected of being the source of the regime's slush funds.

[Firas Altuat / Factory owner] (When I came back after the collapse of the government) I found the drugs hidden here. They put drugs inside these generators and sent them to Saudi Arabia and other countries.

Amid the scars of a long civil war, the international community's move to calm the chaos is also speeding up.

Major Middle Eastern countries and the West gathered in Jordan to agree that Syria's new government should be formed through a peaceful and democratic process.

To that end, the U.S. says it is also talking to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a key rebel force designated as a terrorist group.

[Secretary of State Tony Blinken]: We are communicating with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other parties. We have shared principles for continued support with countries in the Middle East and beyond.

Representatives also stressed that the new Syrian government should respect the rights of minorities and women and prevent terrorist groups from taking hold.

I'm YTN Lee Kyungah.