Guterres arrives in Syria, first visit by UN Secretary-General since before civil war
UN chief begins landmark visit, meets new leadership in Damascus to promote stability, inclusion and post-war recovery, signals support for political transition
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Syria on Saturday for the first visit by a UN chief since 2009, reaffirming the organization’s support for the country’s political transition and post-conflict recovery.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani welcomed Guterres and his delegation upon their arrival at Damascus International Airport.
The three-day visit marks the first by a UN Secretary-General since Ban Ki-moon visited Syria in 2009, before the outbreak of the country’s civil war in 2011.
It also comes more than 18 months after the new authorities, led by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, assumed power following the overthrow of former President Bashar Al-Assad.
During his visit, which continues until Monday, Guterres is scheduled to meet President Al-Sharaa and senior government officials to reaffirm the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Syria during its transitional phase after more than 13 years of conflict that claimed more than half a million lives.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres would stress that Syria now has an opportunity not only to recover from years of war but also to “lay the foundations for a future that is more stable, inclusive and prosperous for all Syrians.”
Since the change in leadership, the international community has urged Syria’s new authorities to establish effective state institutions, promote political pluralism and ensure broad representation of all segments of Syrian society in governance.
Earlier this week, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone said the Secretary-General’s visit would reaffirm the UN’s commitment to supporting both the Syrian government and the Syrian people during what he described as a critical period in the country’s history.
In addition to meetings with President Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani, Guterres is expected to hold discussions with representatives of civil society organizations, including groups advocating for women’s rights.
The UN chief will also visit the headquarters of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has monitored the ceasefire between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights buffer zone since 1974.
