Al-Shaibani to Guterres: Syria is open to the world... and limiting weapons to the hands of the state is a priority

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, during his meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Damascus, affirmed that Guterres’s visit is the first by a UN chief to Syria in 17 years, describing it as an important milestone in the course of relations with the United Nations.

Al-Shaibani stressed Syria’s openness to strengthening cooperation with international institutions, affirming the continuation of transparent coordination with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in a way that reflects Damascus’s commitment to its international obligations.

He pointed out that the Syrian government continues to work toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, alongside intensifying efforts to secure shared borders and enhance stability.

Al-Shaibani revealed that around three and a half million Syrians have returned to their country, in one of the largest voluntary return operations in the world, stressing that the state has succeeded in confining weapons to its own hands as part of consolidating security and asserting its sovereignty.

He also warned that the continuing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory pose a direct threat to security and stability in the region, calling on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in putting an end to these violations.