UN Chief Visits Syria for First Time in 17 Years

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Syria on Saturday, marking the first visit by a UN chief to the country in 17 years.

Guterres landed at Damascus International Airport, where he was received by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who remained under UN Security Council sanctions until last year due to his past as an al-Qaeda commander.

The last UN secretary-general to visit Syria was in 2009, two years before the country's civil war erupted in 2011. According to Al Jazeera, Guterres' visit represents another diplomatic milestone for al-Sharaa, who came to power after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

In addition to talks with the foreign minister and president, Guterres is expected to meet other senior officials and representatives of Syrian civil society. He will also visit members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which is deployed in the Golan Heights.