UN secretary-general expresses confidence in Syria’s ability to choose its own path

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to determine their own future.

Guterres made this statement following talks in Pretoria with South African Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

"I have full confidence in the Syrian people’s ability to choose their own destiny. There is now hope in Syria. Our duty is to support various Syrian leaders to ensure that they unite and can guarantee a smooth and inclusive transition. It is essential for Syria to maintain unity at this time," he emphasised. 

Guterres is currently on a tour of Southern Africa. On December 11, he was received by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the morning. Later this week, on December 12, Guterres is scheduled to attend ceremonial events in Lesotho. 

On November 27, armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against Syrian army positions in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. By the evening of December 7, they had captured several major cities (Aleppo, Hama, Daraa, and Homs), and on December 8, they entered Damascus, with Syrian government forces withdrawing from the city. 

Syrian government leader Muhammad Ghazi al-Jalali expressed readiness for a peaceful transfer of power in the country. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Bashar al-Assad stepped down as president of Syria and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful handover of power.

By Naila Huseynova