UN chief says Golan is Syrian, urges reconstruction support

UN chief Guterres says Golan Heights are Syrian, urges reconstruction support UN chief Antonio Guterres said in Damascus that the occupied Golan is Syrian territory, and urged an end to Israeli incursions Guterres (left) reaffirmed that the occupied Golan Heights is Syrian territory according to the UN and international law [Getty] UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reaffirmed that the occupied Golan Heights is Syrian territory, calling for an end to Israeli incursions and violation while urging the international community to support Syria's reconstruction during a landmark visit to Damascus. Speaking alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Saturday, Guterres reiterated the United Nations' support for Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying countries emerging from prolonged conflict could not rebuild alone. The visit, Guterres' first to Syria since taking office and the first by a UN secretary-general since Ban Ki-moon travelled to the country in 2009. It included talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the country's transition and post-war recovery. During a joint press conference at Tishreen Palace, Guterres said the Syrian people had endured years of hardship but had retained their resilience and determination. "The Syrian people have endured many years of hardship, but they have not lost their resilience, creativity or sense of belonging," Guterres said, adding that Syria was now entering "a phase that combines recovery and investment" aimed at creating opportunities for all Syrians. He said the UN was seeking to deepen cooperation with Syria and work with the wider international community to support the country's future. "No country emerging from a major conflict can recover on its own," Guterres said, describing the rebuilding of war-torn states as "a shared responsibility" and calling on the international community to support Syria's efforts to overcome the legacy of the conflict. Regarding the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Guterres reiterated the UN's long-standing position. "The Golan is Syrian territory," he said, stressing that the United Nations stood by Syria's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. He also called for "an end to all Israeli violations", adding that the UN recognised that "what belongs to the Syrians should remain theirs and cannot be taken from them". Al-Shaibani described the visit as a turning point in relations between Damascus and the United Nations, saying it marked "the first visit by a UN secretary-general in 17 years" and carried significance beyond protocol. He said the discussions had focused on strengthening cooperation with the UN during Syria's recovery and reconstruction, which he described as the government's foremost priority. "The priority at this stage is reconstruction," al-Shaibani said, arguing that rebuilding the country required the lifting of restrictions and the creation of a legislative environment capable of moving Syria "from humanitarian response to sustainable development". The foreign minister also said around 3.5 million Syrians had returned to the country, describing it as one of the world's largest voluntary return movements. He said Syria was seeking a more active UN role during the next phase of recovery, alongside support from the wider international community and the European Union. On regional security, al-Shaibani accused Israel of undermining stability through continued military actions inside Syria. "Israeli violations of Syrian territory constitute a direct threat to the security of the region," he said. Al-Shaibani also praised Guterres for what he described as a "balanced" position during recent years, saying the UN chief had refused to align himself with the former Syrian government. Earlier on Saturday, Guterres met President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in Damascus to discuss the country's transitional period and ways to expand UN support for recovery and stabilisation efforts. The UN chief also visited the Umayyad Mosque and toured Damascus' Old City with Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim al-Alabi, in a symbolic visit that aimed to renew UN engagement with Syria following the fall of former dictator Bashar al-Assad. Related Articles