UN chief hails Syria’s ‘moment of possibility’ on first visit since fall of Assad regime

Syria has an opportunity not only to recover from conflict but to build “a future that is more stable, more inclusive and more prosperous for all Syrians”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in Damascus on Saturday as he began a landmark visit to the country.Calling Syria “today the pillar of stability of the Middle East”, the UN chief said the country “stands at a moment of possibility” and urged the international community to seize the opportunity to help rebuild a nation emerging from more than a decade of conflict. Addressing reporters alongside Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Shaibani, Mr. Guterres described his visit as “an extremely meaningful” one, rooted in decades of engagement with Syrians as former UN High Commissioner for Refugees and later as Secretary-General.“For years, long before becoming Secretary-General, I worked closely with Syrians,” he said, recalling communities that welcomed refugees fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as Syrian families later forced to flee their own country.“I met young Syrians whose hopes were simple and universal: to learn, to work, to contribute, and to live in peace.”Those experiences, he said, remained with him and helped ex...