UN security council delegation begins first visit to Syria Photo

A delegation representing member states of the UN Security Council arrived in Syria on December 4 for a series of meetings with senior officials and civil society organisations in a visit that is the first of its kind, coinciding with the first anniversary of the liberation of Syria.

The group entered the country earlier in the day through the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon and was scheduled to hold discussions with a range of Syrian counterparts, Caliber.Az reports via SANA.

Shortly after arriving in Damascus, the delegation toured the war-damaged neighbourhood of Jobar, where they assessed the extensive destruction caused by bombardment during the previous period of conflict. Later, the delegation visited several historical sites in Old Damascus, including the Beit al-Wali Hotel in Bab Touma, the Midhat Pasha Market, and the Umayyad Mosque.

The delegation was accompanied throughout the visit by Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, as well as the Deputy UN Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi.

During the mission, members of the delegation also held talks with President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said the UN leadership hoped the visit would help intensify dialogue between the organisation and Syria, noting that improved engagement could support efforts to address the country’s ongoing humanitarian and political challenges.

By Sabina Mammadli