DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Guterres makes first visit to Syria by UN chief since before civil war

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Damascus for his first visit to Syria since 2009, before the country's civil war began.
  • Guterres expressed solidarity and appealed for international support for the Syrian people during this "pivotal moment."
  • The visit marks a significant step for Syria as it seeks to rebuild international ties and its economy after years of conflict and isolation.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday, marking his first visit to Syria since 2009, prior to the devastating civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions.

The United Nations stands with Syria at this pivotal moment.

— Antonio GuterresStated upon arrival in Damascus.

Upon arrival, Guterres posted on X, stating, "The United Nations stands with Syria at this pivotal moment." He appealed to the international community to "spare no effort" in supporting the Syrian people. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led an Islamist-led leadership after ousting former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, received Guterres at the presidential palace.

Guterres' visit signifies a milestone for Syria, which is now in a transitional period following the end of the war. He previously described the fall of the "Syrian dictatorship" under Assad as a hopeful sign for the region. The UN chief is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, other government officials, and representatives of Syrian civil society.

spare no effort to support the Syrian people.

— Antonio GuterresAppealing to the international community.

According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres aims to emphasize Syria's opportunity to "not only recover from conflict, but also to lay the foundations for a future for Syria that will be more stable, more inclusive, and more prosperous for all Syrians." The visit comes weeks after a bombing near a Damascus hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying, an incident that overshadowed Macron's visit.

the end of the Syrian dictatorship

— Antonio GuterresDescribing the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

Syria's current government is focused on rebuilding the nation's international standing and economy after nearly 14 years of war and decades of isolation under the Assad family. The transition has been challenged by episodes of sectarian violence, including the killing of nearly 1,500 Alawites and hundreds of Druze Syrians in recent years. Guterres has previously expressed alarm over this violence and called for accountability.

not only to recover from conflict, but also to lay the foundations for a future for Syria that will be more stable, more inclusive, and more prosperous for all Syrians

— Stephane DujarricOutlining the goals of Guterres' visit.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog