G7 leaders said in a statement on Thursday that they stand ready to support a transition within a framework that leads to credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance in Syria.

The political transition after the end of Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year authoritarian rule must ensure ‘respect for the rule of law and universal human rights, including women’s rights, the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities, transparency and accountability’, the G7 said.

The G7 will work with and fully support any future Syrian government that upholds these standards and is a product of this process,’ the statement added.

The leaders also called on ‘all parties’ to ‘preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity and respect its independence and sovereignty’.