United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges the immediate removal of all sanctions imposed on Syria during the period of former President Bashar al-Assad, as he concludes a two-day visit to the country. In comments made after the trip, Guterres says lifting sanctions is needed to support Syria’s transition and help the government address urgent economic and reconstruction challenges. The UN chief frames the call in the context of the changes in Damascus: Syria’s new authorities took power in December 2024 and seek to move beyond more than 13 years of war. According to accounts of the visit, the new leadership is trying to reboot economic activity and rebuild infrastructure while also working to reconstitute institutions. The reporting presents the sanctions removal request as part of a broader push to enable recovery and improve conditions as the country enters a new phase. The sources do not detail the specific sanctions being referenced or outline proposed timelines, but they agree on the UN chief’s position and the backdrop of Syria’s post-war and post-2024 political shift.