Newshour

Syrian rebels are working to form a transitional government, a day after they seized Damascus and toppled President Bashar al Assad. Rebel fighters have been securing public buildings in the capital, where joy at the end of 50 years of authoritarian rule is mixed with anxiety about the future. Syrian civil defence workers have deployed to the ousted Assad regime's notorious Saydnaya prison to investigate reports that people are still trapped in cells hidden underground.

(Photo: Syrian Democratic Forces capture al-Hasakah, Al Hasakah, Syria - 08 Dec 2024 AHMED MARDNLI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The Syrian President, Bashar Al Assad, managed to fly out of Damascus for Russia, before rebels led by the Islamist HTS group entered the capital last night. The rebel leader addressed crowds inside the historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital and told Syrians that they can now breathe freely. We hear from our correspondents in Damascus and Moscow and speak to one of what are likely to millions of Syrians forced to live abroad who now wants to go home.

Also on the programme we take a look at a cautious international reaction to the change of leadership, as the United States calls it a moment of risk and uncertainty.

(Photo: President Putin & Former President Assad; Credit: Reuters)

Five decades of authoritarian Assad family rule in Syria have ended with the president fleeing the capital before it fell to rebels without resistance. His former international backer, Russia, says he's left the country.

In this special edition of Newshour focusing on events in Syria, we ask what's next for a country that's been torn apart by civil war forcing millions of people to flee? Will there be an orderly transition of power to the rebels ? Why did the regime collapse so suddenly ? We'll hear from supporters and critics of the Assad government. And from the Red Cross in a chaotic Damascus - what the future is for the hundreds of thousands tortured and detained under Assad's murderous rule.

(Photo: People celebrate after Syrian rebels announced they've ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Beirut, Lebanon December 8, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Ahmad Al-Kerdi)

The latest reports from Syria say Islamist rebels are closing in on the centre of the city of Homs - as they continue their advance to Damascus. On this programme we will hear from the Syrian opposition as well as the UN envoy Geir Pederson.

Also on the programme: The singer Angelique Kidjo on the re-dedication of the Notre Dame cathedral in Pais.

(Picture: A member of the Syrian opposition stands at an entrance to the Hama governorate on the Damascus-Aleppo International Highway, Syria. Credit: MOHAMMED AL RIFAI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Rebel forces in southern Syria have reportedly captured most of the Deraa region - the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Also on the programme: we hear from South Korea after a tumultuous week in politics there; and the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris is set to welcome visitors once more.

(Image: Rebel fighters pass a tank in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance in Syria on 7 December 2024. Credit: Reuters/Mahmoud Hasano)

Government forces in Syria appear to be struggling on several fronts as rebel groups advance.  Islamist-led factions are within kilometres of Homs.  Also on the programme, Romania's top court has annulled the results of the presidential election on fears the far-right winner benefitted from a massive illegal TikTok campaign; and, Finland has become the world's first country to launch a national soundscape — a fifteen-part composition inspired by the country's nature.

(Photo: A rebel fighter stands atop a military vehicle as he carries a Hayat Tahrir al-Sham flag in Saraqeb town in northwestern Idlib province, Syria December 1, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano TPX)

Rebel forces in Syria are bearing down on the city of Homs, a vital link between the capital, Damascus, and the Assad regime's coastal stronghold. We hear from a Christian priest in the coastal city of Latakia.

Also in the programme: Romania's top court annuls the results of the first round of the presidential election, after the surprise victory of an unknown far-right nationalist; and Notre Dame cathedral in Paris is reborn after a devastating fire five years ago.

(IMAGE: Opposition fighters pose for a selfie in front of a Syrian government building after they entered the city of Hama, Syria, 06 December 2024 / CREDIT: Bilal al Hammoud/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The loss of Hama is a major blow to President Assad's forces as rebels continue to advance across the country. Video footage showed insurgents parading through the streets and firing guns in celebration. We hear the latest from our correspondent in the region and ask Middle East expert Julien Barnes-Darcy how worried President Assad should be in the capital, Damascus.

Also in the programme: President Macron addresses the people of France amid political turmoil. And we hear from Mick Mulvaney, former acting chief of staff in President Trump's White House.

(Photo: A rebel fighter stands atop a military vehicle in northwestern Idlib province, Syria, 1 December, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano)

France's Prime Minister Michel Barnier has formally resigned after his government was voted down by parliament. With the ball in President Macron's court, what do MPs who support him - and his opponents - think he should do?

Also in the programme: Amnesty International issues a detailed report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza – we hear from an independent international lawyer and from an Israeli spokesman; and how Donald Trump's election victory is powering bitcoin to a record high.

(IMAGE: French Prime Minister Michel Barnier removes his glasses after he delivered a speech during a debate on two motions of no-confidence against the French government, at the National Assembly in Paris, France, December 4, 2024. / CREDIT: REUTERS / Sarah Meyssonnier)

French MPs have ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier after passing a vote of no confidence in his minority government.

Also in the programme: Georgian police beat opposition MP, we hear from an eye-witness; and the young Swedish women who want to stay at home and be traditional housewives.

(Picture: Michel Barnier in the National Assembly floor. Credit: Reuters/ Sarah Meyssonnier)