United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Syria on Saturday, marking the first trip by a serving UN chief since the start of a nearly 14-year war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions in the country.
Syria’s New Leadership
The visit represents another milestone for Syria since rebels ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, ending the war that began in 2011 and launching a transitional period steered by an Islamist-led leadership.
Guterres is set to meet President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former head of al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria who until November 2025 was under terrorism-related sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council.
The UN chief will also meet Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, other government officials, and representatives of Syrian civil society, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Rebuilding Syria
Sharaa’s government is seeking to rebuild Syria’s international ties and economy after nearly 14 years of war and decades of isolation under Assad family rule.
The transition has been marred by two major episodes of sectarian bloodshed that have tested Sharaa’s repeated pledges to protect Syria’s religious minorities.
Guterres expressed alarm over both bouts of violence and has called for accountability.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
