In his first UN speech, Syria’s al-Sharaa urges end to all sanctions

In his first speech before the UN General Assembly, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim leader of Syria and the first head of state to address the gathering in nearly 60 years, he called for the lifting of international sanctions.

On Wednesday, al-Sharaa told world leaders that his country’s story was “filled with emotions, and it mixes pain with hope,” and that “Syria is reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world.”

He continued, “The Syrian story is a story of conflict between good and evil.” We have endured oppression, deprivation, and injustice for many years. Then, we rose up and proclaimed our honor. ”

Syrians from all over the country gathered to hear al-Sharaa’s speech.

The first time a Syrian leader of state addresses the UN General Assembly in almost 60 years was witnessed by a crowd in front of large screens, according to Abdullah Okaily, a journalist from Damascus.

We can’t deny Syria’s celebratory atmosphere and moment in various cities right now.

You can hear the fireworks coming from behind us, I tell you. After years of suffering and isolation, Syria is returning to the international community. ”

Al-Sharaa led opposition fighters to the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, putting an end to his family’s five-decade rule, in January, bringing his family to power. Al-Sharaa outlined steps taken in his speech in the months since, including establishing new institutions, organizing elections, and encouraging foreign investment.

We now demand that sanctions be lifted completely, so that the Syrian people can no longer be shackled, he said.

In July, the US removed the Syrian-led organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which al-Sharaa led, from its list of “foreign terrorist organizations,” as a result of a change in policy toward post-Assad Syria.

Al-Sharaa has since launched what some have referred to as a diplomatic charm offensive.

In May, he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, and he and President Donald Trump met in Riyadh for a meeting. Trump made a pledge to lift sanctions against Syria during his state visit to Saudi Arabia. Following a decade-long wait, Trump signed an executive order to lift the sanctions.

Members of Congress are currently debating whether to repeal the Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act, which was passed to impose US sanctions on Damascus.

Al-Sharaa met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials while in New York. He also addressed the annual UN assembly, a global forum called the Concordia Annual Summit.

Israeli strikes are condemned.

Since he took over in January, the Syrian leader has condemned Israeli attacks on his nation. Al-Sharaa stated in his address that Israel continues to attack and strike its country despite the reforms that his government has attempted to control. ”

He argued that Israel’s actions contradict the Syrian government’s international support, saying they “threaten new crises and struggles in our region.”

But he also stated that his country is still committed to dialogue.

In response to this aggression, Syria is “committed to dialogue,” according to him, and we are also “committed to the Disengagement of Forces Agreement of 1974,” as well as the international community.

Israel and Syria have been at odds with one another for decades, with tensions stemming from Israel’s 1967 occupation of the Golan Heights. Since al-Assad’s fall, Israel has launched more than 1,000 strikes on Syrian territory.

Israel and Syria were close to reaching a “de-escalation” agreement, according to US special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack said on Tuesday.

In exchange for Syria agreeing not to move heavy equipment close to Israel’s borders, the agreement would require Israel to halt its cross-border attacks.

Solidarity with Gaza

At the forefront of the General Assembly’s discussion was Israel’s war against Gaza, and al-Sharaa praised Palestinians, claiming Syria remained “steady with the people of Gaza, its children and women, and all peoples who are at risk of being violated and abused.”

He addressed the assembly, “We call for the war to end right away.”

Source: Aljazeera