New York, 10 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting about Syria on Monday following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad over the weekend.

"The Council, I think, was more or less united on the need to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of Syria, to ensure the protection of civilians, to ensure that humanitarian aid is coming to the population in need," said Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia in a statement released after the meeting.

The Security Council convened at Russia's request. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen and the head of UN peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, had previously informed the council's 15 members about the current situation in Syria.

Nebenzia said "everyone was surprised by the events, everyone, including the council members. So we have to wait, observe, and assess how the situation will develop."

He announced that in the coming days, there might also be a "document" from the Security Council regarding the situation.

When asked whether the UN would delist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the lead group that overthrew the Syrian regime, as a terrorist group, Nebenzia said that was not discussed at the council meeting. HTS is also listed as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union and Britain.

"But that's an issue, of course, because they are listed, and they are not delisted." He noted that the US State Department has a $10 million reward for information leading to the HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Joulani.

"I told the Americans: Give us 10 million [dollars]. We know how to help you. We'll give you the address where you can find him."

Russia was a long-time backer of al-Assad, providing weapons and support to his regime, which imprisoned thousands. Russian media reported that the overthrown Syrian leader was given asylum in Moscow.