Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
New York, SANA-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani stressed that lifting sanctions imposed on Syria due to the crimes of the former regime could constitute a decisive step in transforming Syria from a country known for its dark past into an active and strong partner in international peace, prosperity, and the economy.
He pointed out that the Security Council and the international community have an opportunity to support the Syrian people, who are ready to reshape their country’s future. Syria has repeatedly declared its commitment that it will not pose a threat to any country in the region or the world.
Below is the full text of the Foreign Minister’s remarks today before a UN Security Council session to discuss the situation in Syria:
“I am honored to address you on this historic day, the day on which, just before my speech, the flag representing the new Syria—a Syria of freedom and dignity—was raised on the United Nations flagpole alongside 193 countries, our partners in the international community. Congratulations to all Syrians on this historic moment, for this flag is not just a symbol; it is a declaration of a new existence born of suffering, embodying a future born of steadfastness and a promise of change after years of pain.
This day came only after immense sacrifices, after a journey of blood and tears. Hundreds of thousands were killed, disappeared, and their traces evaporated in the prisons of the Assad regime. This day is for them as it is for us. We will never forget them, and we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve peace and justice for them, their families, their loved ones, and everyone who dreamed of a day like this.
For decades, the story of Syria has been linked to the brutality of the Assad regime. During his oppressive rule, the country sank into Darkness reigned, and citizens were subjected to systematic killing, torture, and disappearance. Chemical weapons were used, millions were displaced, and generations were shattered by pain and loss. The regime’s actions not only caused profound humanitarian tragedies for the Syrian people, but also allowed destabilizing forces to flourish within our homeland. Under Assad’s rule, our land became a breeding ground for drug production and a haven for foreign militias and terrorist organizations that found a foothold there, exacerbating our suffering and that of the entire region. The brutal policies of that era deepened divisions and forced entire families to emigrate, leaving behind their homes and dreams, which were turned to ash in the flames of battle. Yet, I am here today to represent the new Syria. After the fall of the Assad regime, in a remarkably short period of just over four months, following 14 years of Assad’s war against his people and 54 years of repression, Syria finally began to catch its breath, opening its doors to the world. Presidents, foreign ministers, and international figures arrived, and Syrians are now exploring the possibility of returning to their homeland in the hope of contributing to its reconstruction. For the first time, major international organizations and UN human rights institutions have been granted tangible access to our lands, something the former regime had repeatedly refused in the past.
The era of systematic bloodshed, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and impunity is over. Planes are dropping flowers instead of barrel bombs, as you saw on Revolution Day a few weeks ago. The drug trade that threatened our region has been decisively countered, thanks to the tremendous efforts of our security services, which are also working day and night to combat the terrorist organization ISIS. We are in constant coordination and readiness with countries in the region and the world to confront these threats.
On the chemical weapons issue, a dark spot in the history of the Assad regime and a testament to the international community’s impotence, our constructive cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is evident on the ground. Our actions are consistent with our words. We are also in constant coordination with relevant countries and request extensive support in this regard.
Over the past four months, through unprecedented cooperation, Syrian men and women have achieved the impossible. The caretaker government has preserved state institutions and prevented them from collapsing. Today, we have succeeded in integrating Syrian competence, skill, and diversity into a transitional government that was unanimously welcomed in a UN Human Rights Council resolution last month. We have also unified the military factions, thus ending the era of factionalism with their dissolution, without exception. We have initiated constitutional steps toward genuine reform, and launched a national dialogue in which, for the first time, nearly 1,000 Syrians gathered in the presidential palace to discuss issues affecting Syria’s future. During the tragic events that took place on the Syrian coast last March, remnants of the regime attempted to ignite a civil war by committing horrific massacres against a large number of security personnel and civilians. We continued to be subjected to these attacks yesterday, with the aim of provoking sectarian reactions. However, we established a civil peace committee and a fact-finding committee to hold those involved accountable, in support of Security Council recommendations. We sent humanitarian aid to civilians at the Hmeimim base, and we are ready to fulfill all commitments for their immediate return to their homes.
We will soon announce a transitional justice body and a commission for missing Syrians. We are also ready to fully coordinate with the United States to search for missing Americans. We will also announce serious steps to form a national parliament that represents the Syrian people. Syria today belongs to all its sons: to those whose voices were silenced under Assad’s rule and who now freely express their opinions; to Syrians who were displaced from their homes and who can now return to them.
During these four months, Muslims in Syria celebrated Eid al-Fitr, Christians celebrated Easter peacefully in churches, some Syrian Jews returned home for the first time, and for the first time, a Kurdish leader was in Damascus, mediated by the United States, paving the way with the President of the Republic toward a Syria that respects its ethnic and cultural diversity, a principle explicitly enshrined in the Constitutional Declaration.
Yes, Syria is diverse, but it is not divided into majorities and minorities. Rather, it is a country for all strong, optimistic Syrians working together to build the future that was once denied to us, and that today has become possible and achievable. Yet, as we enter this new era, major challenges still pose a threat to us and to you.
We have affirmed that Syrians are equal before the law in rights and duties, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. While Syria has opened its doors to countries and given its people hope of returning, the burden of sanctions continues to threaten our stability. When international organizations and companies seek to invest in and rebuild our economy, they find that these expired sanctions stand in the way. These traditional measures imposed on the former regime prevent capital and expertise from entering, allowing illicit networks to flourish. Those who truly benefit from the continued existence of these sanctions appear to be those operating in the shadows and hidden, often linked to extremist or terrorist organizations. They reinforce extremist narratives that oppose international openness, deter investment, and leave Syrians who wish to return unable to do so. They also leave those who remain uncertain about their prospects in their country. Those demanding more from Syria are the same ones who insist on maintaining many of the sanctions against it.
These sanctions force Syria into the role of aid-dependent rather than a partner in global economic growth. They also prevent international organizations and civil society from functioning smoothly, and they constrain our ability to implement transitional justice and ensure security.
Lifting sanctions could be a decisive step that contributes to transforming Syria from a country known for its dark past into an active and powerful partner in international peace, prosperity, and the economy. Syria’s stability affects not only us as Syrians, but also the stability of the entire region. Here, I must point out another factor that undermines this stability: Israeli attacks on Syrian territory. These actions are not only a blatant violation of international law and Syria’s sovereignty, but also a direct threat to regional stability.
The ongoing aggression undermines our reconstruction efforts and undermines the peace and security we seek.
We call on the Security Council to pressure Israel to withdraw from Syria and implement the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. We have repeatedly stated our commitment that Syria will not pose a threat to any country in the region or the world, including Israel.
I express my sincere thanks to the governments that have stood with us over the years, and to those that have taken steps in recent months to stand with the proud Syrian people. I appreciate the countries that have begun to lift sanctions and reopen their embassies.
Let us seize this pivotal moment. This Council and the entire international community have an opportunity to support Syria’s future. Syrian men and women are ready to reshape their country’s future and set a new model for what successful post-conflict transition looks like anywhere in the world. We hope you will be our partners on this path.”.
MHD Ibrahim
