United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to mark one year since Russia invaded Ukraine and to consider the adoption of a resolution on Ukraine at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his optimism that increased regional involvement in the Syrian conflict could potentially facilitate progress and aid the UN’s efforts in advancing the political process.
Arab nations agreed on Sunday to reinstate Syria’s membership in the Arab League after 12 years of suspension as ties with Damascus are being normalized.
UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters that they were aware of the Arab League’s decision.
Guterres “believes that the region has a vital role to play in the search for settlement of the conflict,” said Haq.
Syria was removed from the Arab League after the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters in March 201 spiraled the country into a civil war.
Hundreds of thousands of people were killed and millions were displaced in Syria’s more than 12-year-old war.
