Antonio Guterres Visits Damascus to Support Syria’s Political Transition
Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, arrived in Damascus on Saturday leading a delegation in a visit aimed at supporting the political transition process in Syria.
According to Agence France-Presse, during this three-day trip, Guterres will emphasize the UN’s support for Syria’s transitional phase. Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Asaad al-Sheebani, Syria’s Foreign Minister, welcomed him and his delegation at Damascus International Airport.
The UN Secretary-General is scheduled to meet with Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president, to discuss the country’s political developments.
Guterres is the first UN Secretary-General to visit Damascus since Ban Ki-moon’s visit in 2009, which occurred two years before the outbreak of Syria’s civil war. The conflict resulted in over half a million deaths and ultimately ended with Bashar al-Assad’s removal from power in December 2024.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, who severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016, led a coalition of Islamist rebel groups that overthrew Assad’s regime in the rapid December 2024 operation.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated ahead of the trip that Guterres would highlight that the current period offers an opportunity to build a more stable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Syrian citizens.
