Antonio Guterres set to be first UN chief to visit Syria since before 2011 war
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Syria on July 25, 2026, becoming the first serving UN chief to do so since the start of the nearly 14-year civil war in 2011. The visit marks a milestone after rebels ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, ending his family's decades-long rule. Guterres is scheduled to address Syria's new Parliament on July 27, meet President Ahmed al-Sharaa (former head of al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, under UN sanctions until November 2025), Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and civil society representatives. The UN chief will emphasize opportunities for recovery, stability, and inclusivity. The visit comes weeks after two bombs exploded near a Damascus hotel hosting French President Emmanuel Macron. Syria's transitional government, led by Sharaa, seeks to rebuild international ties and the economy, though sectarian violence—including killings of Alawites and Druze—has marred the transition.
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