UN Chief Guterres Visits Syria: Praises Transition, Calls for Sanctions Relief Amid Controversy
UN Secretary-General António Guterres made his first visit to Syria in 17 years, touring the notorious Sednaya military prison, a former torture site under the Assad regime where tens of thousands were killed. Guterres expressed shock at the conditions but praised Syria's political transition, calling for all remaining sanctions to be lifted to reintegrate the country into the global economy. He met with Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa and other officials. The visit drew criticism from activists like Hassan Akkad, who accused the UN of financing war profiteers by maintaining ties with Assad and using hotels owned by sanctioned businessmen. Guterres also criticized Israeli military incursions into Syrian territory, calling them violations of sovereignty and urging compliance with the 1974 disengagement agreement. The UN's humanitarian aid covers only about 20% of Syrian needs.
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