Guterres arrives in Syria for first UN visit in 17 years

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for the first official visit by a UN chief to Syria in 17 years. He is set to meet President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who was under UN sanctions until last year, and other officials. The visit underscores Syria's opportunity for recovery after the 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad. Guterres will also tour the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights and address the new parliament on Monday.