UN Chief Heads to Damascus After 14-Year Gap

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres starts his visit Syria today, the first trip by a serving UN chief since the start of the country’s nearly 14-year war.

Guterres is set to meet President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after being welcomed by the Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in the airport.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Guterres will underline that Syria has an opportunity "not only to recover from conflict, but also to lay the foundations for a future for Syria that will be more stable, more inclusive, and more prosperous for all Syrians."

Syria's Diplomatic Reset

Sharaa's government has sought to rebuild Syria's international ties and economy after nearly 14 years of war and decades of isolation, moving beyond Assad's longtime allies Russia and Iran.

Sharaa became the first Syrian president since 1967 to address the UN General Assembly last year.

The US has lifted most sweeping sanctions on Syria, and President Trump told Sharaa this month he intends to remove Syria from Washington's state sponsors of terrorism list.

Parliament Address and Buffer Zone Visit

Guterres is expected to address Syria's new parliament on Monday and will visit a UN peacekeeping force that has maintained a buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces for decades.

Israeli troops have occupied new areas in southern Syria since Assad's ouster, and Damascus has demanded their withdrawal under a 1974 disengagement agreement.