UN chief urges global support for Syria as it recovers from civil war

News UN chief urges global support for Syria as it recovers from civil war Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa (right) welcomes UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Damascus, Syria, 25 July 2026.   -   Copyright © africanews Omar Albam/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved. By Rédaction Africanews with AP Last updated: 25/07 - 13:59 Syria In a landmark visit to Damascus, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday appealed to the international community to support the people of Syria. It is the first by a UN chief to the Syrian capital since 2009 and comes as the country is trying to recover from a more than decade-long conflict. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians were killed and millions displaced in the civil war that ended when rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad in 2024. They were led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was appointed interim president in January 2025 to oversee state reconstruction and the dissolution of separate armed factions. Guterres, who held talks with al-Sharaa shortly after his arrival, said the country was at a “pivotal moment” as it tries to return to stability. It is estimated that the widespread destruction caused by the conflict will cost tens of billions of dollars to rebuild. While the United States and Europe have lifted many of the sanctions imposed during the rule of the Assad dynasty, the impact on the ground has so far been limited. Cuts to international aid have worsened living conditions for many. The United Nations estimates that 90 per cent of Syria’s population lives in poverty. The World Bank released an assessment last year that said rebuilding Syria after over a decade of civil war is expected to cost about $216 billion. During his stay in Syria, Guterres is scheduled to visit the UN force deployed along the border with Israel. After taking power, al-Sharaa said that he had no desire for a conflict with Israel. But Israel was suspicious of the new Islamist-led leadership and quickly moved to take control of the buffer zone. Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military facilities and periodic incursions into villages outside the buffer zone, which have sometimes led to violent confrontations with residents. You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 3 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 15 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 37 minutes ago From the same country 00:53 Israel strikes Syrian airbase, drawing US and Turkish condemnation 18/08 - 19:10 01:08 Former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia 11/08 - 12:46 01:29 Syria unveils archaeological treasures returned from France after 15 years 10/07 - 11:59 View more Share More About Syria Poverty population Economy United Nations Antonio Guterres You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 3 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 15 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 37 minutes ago From the same country 00:53 Israel strikes Syrian airbase, drawing US and Turkish condemnation 18/08 - 19:10 01:08 Former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia 11/08 - 12:46 01:29 Syria unveils archaeological treasures returned from France after 15 years 10/07 - 11:59 On the same subject NEWS 01:49 Six months into Iran War there is no end in sight to the conflict 28/08 - 17:55 BUSINESS AFRICA 11:19 Ecowas : will the ECO finally become a reality in 2027? [Business Africa] 27/08 - 15:38 BUSINESS 02:35 Kenyan farmers use fertiliser made by bugs to reverse soil degradation 26/08 - 16:31 NEWS Go to video South Sudan: Two UN peacekeepers killed, seven injured 25/08 - 11:58 NEWS 01:42 UAE's indefinite trade embargo puts further pressure on Iranian economy 20/08 - 13:20 NEWS 01:05 Regional body says Haiti need help ahead of holding first election in a decade 20/08 - 10:01 More stories 01:25 General Abdourahamane Tchiani Calm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago 01:02 Coup Vote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago 00:56 United Kingdom Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours ago