Damascus: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani and United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres underscored the importance of supporting Syria's recovery and reconstruction during a joint press conference on Saturday. They also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between Damascus, the United Nations, and the international community to advance the country's recovery efforts.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Guterres addressed attending journalists, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome and reflecting on his past experiences with the Syrian people. He noted his close work with Syrians during his tenure as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and emphasized the resilience and generosity he witnessed among Syrian communities.
Guterres highlighted that Syria stands at a moment of possibility, with the opportunity to recover from conflict and lay the foundations for a more stable and prosperous future. He stressed the need for leadership and trust to achieve this goal and emphasized that the international community must support Syria's recovery as a humanitarian imperative and an investment in peace and regional stability.
The UN Secretary-General reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting Syria's political transition, including efforts to draft a permanent constitution and hold free and fair elections. He underlined the importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemned violations occurring in the region around the Golan Heights.
Guterres concluded by expressing the United Nations' readiness to continue providing humanitarian and development assistance, aligning with Syria's national priorities, and supporting a future defined by peace and opportunity for all Syrians.