DAMASCUS: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for stronger international support for Syria during his first visit to the country, describing the current period as a pivotal moment following years of conflict and political transition.
Guterres is the first UN chief to visit Syria since 2009, two years before the country’s civil war erupted. In a message posted on X after arriving in Damascus, he said the United Nations stood in solidarity with the Syrian people and urged the international community to spare no effort in supporting the country’s recovery and long-term stability.
During the visit, Guterres met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace after touring Damascus’s historic Old City and the Umayyad Mosque. He was received earlier at the airport by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
Ahead of the visit, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Guterres would encourage the country’s new leadership to build effective and inclusive institutions capable of delivering lasting peace and prosperity.
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He also reiterated that the United Nations would continue to support the Syrian people throughout the transition.
The UN chief is also scheduled to meet representatives of Syrian civil society and organisations working on women’s issues before visiting the UN peacekeeping mission stationed in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
According to the United Nations, nearly 1.9 million internally displaced Syrians and 1.7 million refugees have returned since the political transition. However, around 11.5 million Syrians remain displaced inside or outside the country, while an estimated 15.6 million people continue to require humanitarian assistance.
