Guterres arrives in Syria in first official visit by a UN chief in 17 years

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres landed in Damascus on Saturday, completing the first official visit by a serving UN leader since 2009, before Syria's civil war erupted. He was received at the airport by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and will conduct meetings with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who previously faced UN Security Council sanctions but has since worked to restore Syria's international standing following the recent change in government.

During his multi-day visit, Guterres plans to engage with Syrian government officials and civil society representatives. A key component of the trip involves inspecting the UN Disengagement Observer Force stationed in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, where UN personnel monitor adherence to ceasefire arrangements with Israel. The UN chief is scheduled to address Syria's new parliament on Monday.

According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres intends to emphasize Syria's potential to move beyond conflict and establish conditions for stability, inclusivity, and prosperity. The visit arrives shortly after bombings near a Damascus hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had stayed during his own recent visit to Syria. Syrian authorities have reported apprehending individuals linked to the Islamic State group in connection with those attacks.