UN Assembly Sees First Syrian President in Nearly 60 Years

In a historic moment for Syria, President Ahmad al-Sharaa landed in New York on Sunday to attend the UN General Assembly, marking the first time a Syrian head of state has done so in nearly six decades. The last such appearance was in 1967, before the Assad family’s iron-fisted rule dominated the country for half a century. Al-Sharaa’s visit signals a bold step toward reintroducing Syria to the global stage after the dramatic fall of Bashar Assad in December 2024, which ended a brutal 14-year civil war.

Al-Sharaa, once a leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—previously labeled a terrorist organization by the United States—has spent his early months in power navigating a complex path. His ousting of Assad in a swift insurgent offensive brought hope for peace but also raised concerns due to his past ties to al-Qaida-linked militants. Since taking office, al-Sharaa has worked to rebuild Syria’s fractured ties with Arab nations and Western powers, many of whom remain cautious. His UN appearance is a pivotal opportunity to push for international legitimacy and further sanctions relief to aid Syria’s war-ravaged economy and infrastructure.

The stakes are high. Al-Sharaa’s government faces accusations of sectarian violence, with reports of fighters linked to his administration killing hundreds of civilians from Syria’s Druze and Alawite minorities. Despite these challenges, al-Sharaa has emphasized coexistence, seeking to reassure the country’s diverse communities. “We are building a Syria for all,” he declared in a recent address, though sporadic violence threatens the nation’s fragile recovery.

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During his U.S. visit, al-Sharaa is expected to advocate for lifting the remaining sanctions imposed under the Assad regime. In May, U.S. President Donald Trump, after meeting al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, announced the removal of several long-standing sanctions. However, the stringent Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, enacted by Congress, requires a congressional vote to be fully repealed—a hurdle al-Sharaa hopes to address through diplomatic efforts in New York.

Another pressing issue is Syria’s tense relationship with Israel, a key U.S. ally. Since Assad’s fall, Israel has seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military targets, citing security concerns over al-Sharaa’s government. Negotiations for a security agreement to restore the 1974 disengagement deal are ongoing, with al-Sharaa expressing optimism last week about a potential breakthrough. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tempered expectations on Sunday, calling any deal “a vision for the future” despite “some progress.”

Adding to the significance of al-Sharaa’s trip, Syrian officials announced on Sunday that the country’s first parliamentary elections since Assad’s ouster will occur on October 5. The elections, however, will not involve direct voting due to logistical challenges, including the displacement of millions and lost documentation from the war. Instead, an electoral college system will select two-thirds of the People’s Assembly, with al-Sharaa appointing the remaining third.

As al-Sharaa steps onto the world stage, his visit to the UN General Assembly represents both a historic milestone and a critical test. With Syria at a crossroads, the international community is watching closely to see if his leadership can steer the nation toward stability and reconciliation—or if old wounds will continue to fester.

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