Damascus, July 28 (SANA) UN Secretary-General António Guterres‘ visit to Syria, the first by a UN chief in 17 years, marks a significant shift in the United Nations‘ approach to the country, moving beyond humanitarian assistance toward political transition, institution-building and economic recovery, according to analysts.
Political and legal experts said Guterres’ visit reflects a broader change in the UN’s engagement with Syria following the fall of the deposed regime, with greater emphasis on supporting political transition, rebuilding state institutions and advancing economic recovery.
According to the analysts, the visit conveyed four main messages.
Reaffirming Syria’s sovereignty
The analysts told SANA that Guterres reaffirmed that the occupied Syrian Golan remains Syrian territory and described Israeli violations of Syria’s sovereignty and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement as unacceptable.
Fadel Abdulghany, director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, said the position is consistent with Articles 2(1) and 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibit threats or the use of force against the territorial integrity of states, as well as UN resolutions recognizing the occupied Syrian Golan as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation.
Abdulghany called for systematic UN documentation of Israeli incursions, detentions and land seizures, renewed implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, stronger support for the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and regular Security Council discussions on developments in the occupied Syrian Golan.
Security expert Brig. Gen. Abdullah al-Asaad said Guterres’ remarks also sent a message that the international community rejects Israeli attempts to impose new realities on the ground or alter the region’s geographic and demographic landscape.
From relief to recovery
Abdulghany said the visit marked a new phase in Syria’s relationship with the United Nations. While humanitarian aid and chemical weapons dominated the UN agenda during the war, discussions now increasingly focus on institution-building, economic recovery and the return of displaced Syrians.
Political analyst Darwish Khalifa said Guterres called on the international community to lift the remaining sanctions and encourage international financial institutions to invest in infrastructure and public services.
Khalifa said international support should move beyond humanitarian relief to include early recovery programs and a UN-sponsored international conference on Syria’s reconstruction.
Al-Asaad said the appeal sends a positive signal to donor countries and investors that removing sanctions is essential to enabling Syria’s economic recovery.
Message of stability
The analysts said Guterres’ visit came only days after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Damascus, reinforcing a message that Syria is safe and stable.
Al-Asaad said the high-level visits counter attempts by those responsible for recent bombings to undermine confidence in Syria’s security and stability, while signaling that the country is ready to expand diplomatic engagement and attract investment.
Transitional justice
The analysts said Guterres’ visit to Saydnayah prison represented high-level international recognition of the crimes committed by the deposed regime.
Al-Asaad and Khalifa said the visit strengthens support for Syria’s judiciary and affirms that accountability for perpetrators is consistent with international law. They added that it also sends a message that Syria is capable of managing transitional justice and accountability processes while safeguarding its sovereignty and without external interference.
Abdul Ghany cautioned that Saydnayah should not be viewed solely as a symbolic site, describing it as a potential repository of evidence that could be used in judicial proceedings to protect the rights of victims and the families of missing persons.
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