UPDATE - UN Security Council delegation pledges support for Syria after 14 years of isolation

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By Mohammad Sio and Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – A delegation representing all members of the UN Security Council pledged support for Syria on Thursday during the first-ever visit to the country in 14 years.

The delegation arrived in Damascus early Thursday and toured the devastated Jobar neighborhood to view destruction caused by strikes carried out by the former regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said.

Members also visited heritage sites in Old Damascus accompanied by Syria’s permanent representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi.

The Security Council delegation later arrived at Qasr al-Shaab and held talks with President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Slovenian representative Samuel Zbogar, who headed the delegation, told a press conference in Damascus that the visit aimed to show UN support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

“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,” Zbogar said, stressing the international community’s readiness to support Syria for a better future for its people.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed appreciation for the Security Council delegation’s visit.

“This visit constitutes a historic moment for rebuilding trust with the international community’s support for the Syrian people and an affirmation of the need to remove all obstacles in the way of their renaissance and the building of the homeland they aspire to,” he said on US social media company X.

Thursday’s visit comes as Syrians mark the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime.

The Foreign Ministry’s media office said Wednesday the visit reflects international support for “new Syria” and for its efforts to rebuild and strengthen sovereignty and stabilize the country after the ouster of the former regime.

It added that the Security Council’s engagement represents a rare moment of consensus on the Syrian issue among all member states, the first such unanimity in 14 years.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia last December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration led by Sharaa was formed in January.