UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday, marking the first visit by a head of the United Nations to Syria in 17 years. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani welcomed the visit, describing it as a significant milestone that signals Syria’s transition toward becoming an active partner within the international body.
During a joint press conference, Guterres addressed the status of the Golan Heights, which remain under Israeli occupation. He explicitly stated that the region is Syrian territory and declared that the situation surrounding the area is totally unacceptable. Guterres emphasized that the violations occurring under Israeli control cannot be permitted to continue.
Responding to these remarks, Foreign Minister al Shaibani called for an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory they have advanced into. He underscored that lasting peace in the region remains impossible while Syria’s sovereignty continues to be challenged. According to al Shaibani, the ongoing Israeli military operations and the occupation beyond the 1974 line serve as a direct threat to regional security and drain the country's national resources.
Looking toward the future, Guterres noted that no nation can recover from severe conflict in isolation. He expressed the UN's commitment to cooperating with Damascus and the broader international community to support the country's reconstruction. Al Shaibani confirmed that discussions between the two parties focused on establishing a new phase of partnership, centered on a single strategy for a Syrian-led recovery process. He concluded that the meeting held profound significance, representing a clear declaration of Syria's new role as an active partner in global affairs.
