DAMASCUS: A United Nations Security Council delegation made its first-ever visit to Syria on Thursday, pledging the international community’s support for the country days before the anniversary of Bashar Assad’s ousting.
“We reiterated our clear support for sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria,” Slovenian UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar told a press conference in Damascus.
“Our united message was simple and clear: We recognize your country’s aspirations and challenges, and the path to a better future of new Syria will be Syria-led and Syria owned,” said the diplomat, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the UN body.
“The international community stands ready to support you whatever you believe that we can be helpful,” he said, adding: “We want to help build a bridge to this better future for all Syrians.”
The delegation met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, a presidency statement said, publishing images of the meeting.
While the UN works to reestablish itself in Syria, the Security Council recently lifted sanctions on Sharaa, whose forces led the offensive that ousted Assad on December 8 last year.
The UN has urged an inclusive transition in the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional country after nearly 14 years of civil war.
“Historic moment”
The day’s discussions included issues from justice and reconciliation to political inclusivity, reconstruction, economic development and counterterrorism, “as well as the need for Syria not to be the source of threat to the security of other countries,” Zbogar said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said the visit represented “a historic moment for rebuilding trust, with the support of the international community for the Syrian people.”
State news agency SANA said the delegation also visited Damascus’s historic Old City and the heavily damaged suburb of Jobar.
The diplomats are to visit neighboring Lebanon on Friday and Saturday.
Zbogar had said Monday that “the visit to Syria and Lebanon is the first official visit of the Security Council to the Middle East in six years, the first visit to Syria ever.”
The trip comes “at a crucial time for the region” and for both countries, Zbogar had said, noting the new authorities’ efforts toward Syria’s transition as well as a year-old ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and militant group Hezbollah “which we see daily that is being challenged.”
He noted that “there’s still a bit of lack of trust in the UN-Syria relationship, which we try to breach with this visit.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday that “we very much hope that the visit will increase the dialogue between the United Nations and Syria.”
UN Security Council says ready to support Syria on first-ever visit
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UN Security Council says ready to support Syria on first-ever visit
- “The international community stands ready to support you whatever you believe that we can be helpful,” Zbogar said
Saudi Arabia lose to Morocco in final group match of Arab Cup
- Green Falcons had already qualified for quarterfinals
- Oman eliminated despite victory over Comoros
DOHA: Morocco booked their place in the Arab Cup knockout stages after defeating Saudi Arabia on Monday, but Oman’s victory over Comoros in their final group game was not enough to keep their campaign alive.
Needing only a draw to progress, Morocco took all three points against the Green Falcons, who missed a crucial second-half penalty.
The Saudis, already through to the knockouts, made several changes and began brightly, coming close to opening the scoring inside six minutes when Saleh Abu Al-Shamat’s looping header clipped the crossbar.
Despite the early pressure, Morocco kept their composure and took the lead when Tarik Tissoudali teed up Karim El-Berkaoui to put the Atlas Lions in front.
Saudi Arabia pushed for an equalizer and were handed a golden opportunity midway through the second half when Amin Zahzouh fouled substitute Abdullah Al-Hamdan inside the penalty area.
But the striker’s attempt at a “Panenka” sailed over the crossbar.
In the group’s other match, Oman defeated Comoros but were eliminated after failing to make up the required goal difference.
Knowing victory alone would not be enough, Oman began aggressively, creating a string of first-half chances through Issam Al-Sabhi, Zahir Al-Aghbari and Jameel Al-Yahmadi, only to be denied by profligacy and Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada.
The breakthrough arrived in calamitous fashion just before the interval as Ahamada was dispossessed by Al-Sabhi inside the 6-yard box, allowing the forward to shoot into an empty net.
Al-Sabhi then doubled Oman’s lead with a header just before the break.
Comoros rallied after the break through a fine individual effort from Nassuir Hamidou to reduce the deficit, but further chances went begging and Oman held on for victory.
Despite finishing with four points, Oman bowed out of the competition, while Comoros concluded their debut Arab Cup campaign with three straight defeats.
