German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday that Berlin was ready to support the transition to a "free and safe" future after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

Scholz expressed Berlin's "willingness to support the reconstruction of Syria so that Syria can become a free and safe home for all," in an hour-long conversation with Sharaa, the chancellor's spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement.

In his first call with the new Syrian leader, Scholz "congratulated the Syrian people on their success in ending the Assad regime's reign of terror." 

Sharaa was appointed as Syria's interim president at the end of January after Islamist-led rebel forces toppled Assad, ending more than five decades of the family's iron-fisted rule.

Scholz told the new Syrian leader he needed to lead an "inclusive political process ... that allows all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or religious group, to participate."

The chancellor also stressed "the ongoing importance of the fight against terrorism for security in Syria," according to the statement.

Germany would work with European and international partners in this regard, Scholz said.

Sharaa has made a push to rebuild Syria's diplomatic ties since his Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) spearheaded the overthrow of Assad.

However, the country faces a difficult transition amid unresolved territorial and governance challenges.

Armed forces in the south, including from the Druze minority, have responded cautiously to the new authority in Damascus, while Kurdish forces in the north and northeast have continued to battle pro-Turkey fighters.