According to the United Nations News Service, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during his visit to Syria on the 25th that the country is facing a 'time of hope'. This is Ban Ki-moon's first visit to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
Guterres said that Syria not only has the opportunity to recover from the conflict, but also has the chance to build a "more stable, more inclusive, and more prosperous future" for all Syrians.
Guterres said that the Syrian people have gone through years of "hardship, loss, and uncertainty," but they have never lost their resilience, talent, and creativity that are decisive for this country. "Today, Syria is at a moment full of possibilities."
According to Guterres, "Since the Syrian people suffered 'cruel oppression' in 2011, until that regime fell, I consciously decided not to go to Syria."
He warned that any country that has experienced more than a decade of conflict cannot rebuild on its own, and called for increased international involvement. Meanwhile, the United Nations “is ready to support your political transformation, including your efforts to ensure transitional justice, draft a permanent constitution, and hold free and fair elections.”
On the same day, Guterres condemned Israel's violations in the Golan Heights as "unacceptable". He reiterated that the United Nations supports Syria's territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty.
