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Syrian Interim President Addresses UN General Assembly

Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharah delivered one of the shortest speeches at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. He condemned Bashar Assad’s regime, which collapsed in December following 14 years of devastating civil war, and called on the global community to assist in rebuilding Syria. This marked the first time in 60 years a Syrian leader addressed the assembly.

Interestingly, Sharaa avoided discussing the controversies surrounding his past affiliations with the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization. Instead, he focused on expressing admiration for Syria’s natural beauty and the resilience of its people, criticizing the fears propagated by the previous regime and suggesting his actions were justified in a struggle against oppression.

“The Syrian story is a battle between good and evil,” he stated, framing the rebellion and most of the Civil War as a righteous endeavor “supported only by God.”

He described Damascus as the “capital of history and the cradle of civilization,” portraying Syria as “a beautiful country that taught the world the essence of civilization, values, and human coexistence.”

However, he lamented the oppressive governance that has overshadowed Syria for 60 years: “We have faced injustice, deprivation, and oppression for far too long.” He detailed the extreme measures taken by the previous administration, including chemical attacks, bombings, and imprisonment, estimating that around one million innocent lives were lost, millions were displaced, and countless homes destroyed. “Our women and children breathe in toxic gases,” he added.

Sharaa expressed pride in the military efforts that ultimately drove Assad away from Damascus, labeling these actions as “merciful” and emphasizing they “did not target civilians.” He argued that Syria has now “transformed from a crisis exporter into a source of peace,” highlighting strides made in cracking down on illegal drug trafficking.

He noted that Syrians have resisted attempts to divide them into fighting factions, vowing his government would show “tolerance” toward various groups and religions. While he didn’t address recent outbreaks of factional violence directly, he assured cooperation with an international “fact-finding mission” and committed to fully investigating reports of persecution.

Sharaa raised concerns over Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, promising not to tolerate such actions. He expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Israel to resolve security issues and reaffirmed support for the 1974 agreement that established a buffer zone between Syrian and Israeli forces after the Yom Kippur War.

He called on the international community to support Syria in coping with Israeli strikes, advocate for lifting sanctions imposed on the now-defunct Assad regime, and allow Syria to reclaim its sovereignty while advancing postwar reconstruction efforts. Sharaa expressed a desire to build a trustworthy “comprehensive” Syrian government and parliament for international investors.

“We seek the complete lifting of sanctions that bind the Syrian people,” he asserted, revealing that the Investment Law has been revised to attract major regional and international companies for reconstruction efforts.

“We are determined to restore Syria’s glory, dignity, and honor,” he said, emphasizing the nation’s resurgence on the global stage.

Sharaa acknowledged support from countries that stood by Syria since Assad’s fall, thanking those that have taken in Syrian refugees during the civil war, including Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the US and EU.