A United Nations Security Council delegation arrived on Thursday in Syria, the first-ever visit to the country, state media reported.
The delegation arrived via the Jdeidet Yabus border crossing between Lebanon and Syria and “is scheduled to meet a number of Syrian officials” and members of civil society, state news agency SANA reported.
Shortly after that, the agency said, the delegation visited President Ahmed Al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace in Damascus.
UN Security Council delegation visits Old Damascus, Beit al-Wali Hotel in Bab Touma and Umayyad Mosque. The delegation accompanied by Syria’s Permanent Representative to UN, Ibrahim Olabi and Najat Rochdi, Deputy UN Special Envoy for Syria.#Syria#UN_Security_Council pic.twitter.com/hu7buui2SM
— SANA English (@SANAEnOfficial) December 4, 2025
The diplomats are expected to meet Syria’s new authorities, including President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and are to visit neighboring Lebanon on Friday and Saturday.
Slovenian UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar told a press conference on 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.”
Slovenia currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN’s top body.
The trip comes “at a crucial time for the region,” and for both countries, Zbogar said, noting the new authorities’ efforts toward Syria’s transition as well as a year-old ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and the Hezbollah terror group “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.”
The delegation will also “convey messages what we expect from Syria regarding inclusivity, fighting against terrorism and other elements,” he added.
Source: Agencies