DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A historic visit was made by a delegation representing the 15 member states of the United Nations Security Council to Syria on Thursday, marking the first time since the council's establishment in 1945 that it has made such a trip. This visit comes just ahead of the one-year anniversary of the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad during a rapid rebel offensive, signifying the country’s ongoing reintegration into the international community under the leadership of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Islamist insurgent.
During brief remarks to journalists in Damascus, Samuel Zbogar, the permanent representative of Slovenia to the U.N. and current president of the Security Council, emphasized that the delegation aimed to "build trust" with their visit, expressing hope that progress had been made. The group met with al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, and other cabinet members. Additionally, they engaged with local U.N. staff, representatives from Syrian civil society, and religious leaders, as well as communities that faced sectarian violence earlier this year in coastal areas and in southern Syria’s Sweida province.
Furthermore, the delegation held discussions with the governors of those regions and representatives involved in efforts surrounding missing persons and investigations into the recent sectarian violence. Zbogar noted that the conversations revolved around crucial topics such as justice, reconciliation, inclusivity, and national dialogue within the framework of Syria's ongoing political transition, along with broader issues including economic development and counter-terrorism. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that Syria does not pose a security threat to other countries.
The delegation reaffirmed the position of the international community in supporting Syria’s "sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity." According to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, the delegation also made a visit to the heavily war-damaged suburb of Jobar in Damascus, as well as historic sites in old Damascus. The rarity of Security Council visits to Syria is notably due to the necessity for unanimous agreement among all 15 member states.
This unprecedented visit serves as a vital step towards fostering dialogue and addressing the long-standing issues that have plagued Syria since the onset of civil war, creating a foundation for potential future cooperation and stability.
