UN chief hails end to 'dictatorial regime' in Syria

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday hailed the end of Syria's "dictatorial regime" and urged the country to rebuild after president Bashar al-Assad's sudden fall.

"After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future," Guterres said in a statement.

"I reiterate my call for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians, without distinction."