Secretary-General Visits Syria

Secretary-General António Guterres (centre right) visits Saydnaya, the site of the notorious military prison operated by the former Assad regime, where thousands of detainees were reportedly tortured and killed during the conflict in Syria. At right is Ibrahim Olabi, Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations.

The Secretary-General is visiting Syria in the wake of important institutional milestones in the country, most notably the establishment of the People's Assembly and Constitutional Court. Attention is now increasingly turning to constitutional development and preparations for elections. The UN's engagement in Syria seeks to support the country's political transition, recovery and institution-building.