Syria Sanctions Relief Urged
UN Secretary-General Guterres Pushes for Immediate Removal of Syria Sanctions to Aid Economic Recovery
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Guterres toured Sednaya Prison near Damascus during the visit, describing it as a symbol of repression under Assad's former government.
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During his Damascus visit, he also visited Damascus' historic sites, including the Umayyad Mosque and the Old City.
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The UN chief noted refugee and displacement dynamics, citing that 1.7 million refugees have returned to Syria, while about 5.5 million remain displaced inside the country and around six million are overseas.
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Guterres met senior Syrian officials during the visit, including President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and the speaker of the new transitional parliament.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the immediate removal of all sanctions on Syria during a historic two-day visit to Damascus — the first by a UN chief since 2009. He said remaining restrictions must be lifted "without delay" to unlock the country's economic recovery, according to Ottawa Sun.
Syria's new government took power in December 2024 after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The country now faces a massive rebuilding challenge. The World Bank estimates post-war reconstruction will cost around $216 billion, according to Calgary Sun.
Guterres Visits Sednaya Prison and Historic Damascus Sites
Guterres toured Sednaya Prison near Damascus, calling it a symbol of repression under Assad's former government. The prison was known for mass detentions and torture during Assad's rule. The visit was a stark reminder of what the new Syrian authorities are working to move past, according to Toronto Sun.
Guterres also visited the Umayyad Mosque and the Old City of Damascus. He met President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and the speaker of the new transitional parliament. The meetings focused on international support for Syria's recovery and stability.
Western Sanctions Ease, But Full Removal Still Demanded
The United States and the United Kingdom have already moved to ease some sanctions on Syria. But Guterres said that is not enough. He urged all countries to fully lift restrictions left over from the Assad era, according to Edmonton Sun.
Investor caution remains high despite the partial relief. Sanctions have choked off trade, banking access, and foreign investment for years. Guterres stressed that full removal is needed before meaningful economic recovery can begin, according to Calgary Sun.
Millions of Refugees Still Displaced Across Syria and Abroad
Guterres highlighted the scale of displacement still weighing on Syria. About 1.7 million refugees have returned home since the change in government. But around 5.5 million people remain displaced inside Syria, and nearly six million more are living overseas, according to Ottawa Sun.
The UN chief said safe and voluntary returns must be a priority. He called for investments in people, institutions, and essential services. Without those, he warned, it will be hard to bring displaced Syrians home in a lasting way.
UN Pushes International Community to Back Syria's New Start
Guterres reaffirmed Syria's sovereignty and called for stronger international backing for the new government. He said the world must step up with support for rebuilding infrastructure and reviving livelihoods. More than a decade of war has left Syria's economy in ruins, according to Head Topics.
The UN wants to see a sustainable path forward — not just emergency aid, but long-term investment. Guterres said the international community has a responsibility to act now. Syria's new authorities are ready to rebuild, but they cannot do it alone.
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