UN Secretary General visits Syria for the first time since 2011 

Assad Al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister of the Interim Government, received UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his accompanying delegation at Damascus International Airport this morning. This marks the beginning of an official visit—the first of its kind by a UN official to Syria since the crisis began nearly 14 years ago.

Guterres is scheduled to meet with the head of the Interim Government, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, as well as the Foreign Minister, various government officials, and civil society representatives. These meetings will address developments in the transitional phase and ways to support recovery efforts and the rebuilding of state institutions.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that, during his meetings, the Secretary-General will emphasize that Syria has an opportunity to overcome the effects of the conflict and lay the foundations for a more stable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Syrians, while reaffirming the UN's commitment to support this process.

Guterres's visit is expected to last several days, though the UN has not released a full itinerary. The visit comes weeks after a security incident in Damascus involving the explosion of two bombs near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had stayed during his own visit to Syria.

Notably, the last visit to Syria by a UN Secretary-General prior to Guterres was made by his predecessor, Ban Ki-moon, in 2009

Sh-S

ANHA