Thu Dec 04 10:04:55 UTC 2025: Summary:
A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation has arrived in Syria for its first-ever visit to the country. The visit occurs a year after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The delegation aims to bolster ties with Syria’s new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, focusing on an inclusive transition, and addressing security concerns like sectarian violence and Israeli incursions. The UNSC also seeks to re-establish a relationship with Syria, which has been strained for years. The delegation will also visit Lebanon.
News Article:
UN Security Council Delegation Makes Historic Visit to Syria Amidst Tensions
Damascus, Syria – A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation arrived in Syria on Thursday, marking the first time the council has ever visited the war-ravaged nation. The visit, just days before the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s ousting, is aimed at strengthening ties with the new Syrian government and supporting a fragile transition period.
The delegation, led by Slovenian UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar, entered Syria via the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing from Lebanon and immediately began meetings with Syrian officials and members of civil society. State media reported the delegation visited the heavily damaged Damascus suburb of Jobar. Discussions are planned with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former rebel fighter who took power last December, before heading to Lebanon for further talks.
“The visit to Syria and Lebanon is the first official visit of the Security Council to the Middle East in six years, the first visit to Syria ever,” Zbogar noted, emphasizing the significance of the mission. “It comes at a crucial time for the region.”
The UN is focused on encouraging an inclusive transition in Syria, a multi-ethnic country plagued by years of civil war. President al-Sharaa is keen to establish international legitimacy and maintain stability amidst ongoing security challenges. These include containing sectarian violence and addressing increasingly frequent and brazen Israeli military incursions, especially in the occupied Golan Heights region.
Recent incidents, like the killing of a Bedouin couple near Homs and the continued expansion of Israeli control in southern Syria, highlight the delicate situation on the ground. Talks regarding a security agreement between Syria and Israel have stalled in recent weeks.
The UNSC visit is intended to address a “lack of trust in the UN-Syria relationship,” said Zbogar. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that the visit will enhance dialogue and cooperation between the UN and Syria. The delegation’s presence also aims to show support and solidarity with Lebanon, particularly in light of ongoing challenges to a year-old ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
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