UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Syria in what marks the first official visit by a United Nations chief to the country in 17 years, with talks scheduled with President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Key facts
- Antonio Guterres has arrived in Syria for an official visit.
- It is the first such visit by a UN chief in 17 years.
- Guterres is set to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
- Al-Sharaa was under UN Security Council sanctions until last year.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Syria, marking the first official visit by a UN chief to the country in 17 years, according to Al Jazeera.
During the visit, Guterres is scheduled to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The meeting brings the head of the United Nations face to face with a leader whose international standing has shifted significantly in recent months.
Al-Sharaa was under UN Security Council sanctions until last year, according to Al Jazeera, underscoring how notable the encounter is for both the Syrian leadership and the international body.
The visit represents a rare high-level engagement between the UN’s most senior official and Syria’s government after nearly two decades without such a trip. The gap highlights the diplomatic distance that has existed between the organisation’s leadership and Damascus.
Further details of the agenda and the outcomes of Guterres’s meetings had not been provided in the initial reporting.
Why it matters
A visit by the UN's top official to Syria after 17 years signals a potential shift in the country's relationship with the international community. That it comes as Guterres meets a president who was under Security Council sanctions until last year makes the diplomatic moment especially significant.
Frequently asked questions
When was the last time a UN chief visited Syria?
According to Al Jazeera, Guterres's trip is the first official visit by a UN chief to Syria in 17 years.
Who is Guterres meeting in Syria?
He is set to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, according to Al Jazeera.
Was the Syrian president previously under sanctions?
Yes. Al Jazeera reports that Ahmed al-Sharaa was under UN Security Council sanctions until last year.