Syrian officials have confirmed that Ahmad Shar’a, the current ruler of Syria, is set to speak at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September.
Shar’a, a controversial figure with a history of links to al-Qaeda, rose to power following the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad last winter. This will be his first appearance at the General Assembly.
Known for his close ties to Saudi Arabia, Shar’a met with Donald Trump in May during a visit to the kingdom. A day before their meeting, Trump announced that, at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the United States would lift all sanctions on Syria.
The details and key themes of Shar’a’s upcoming speech have not yet been disclosed.
Held annually in New York, the UN General Assembly provides a platform for world leaders to present their countries’ views, policies, and strategic priorities to the international community.
For Shar’a, this appearance marks a critical opportunity to reposition Damascus on the global stage, advocate for international support, and push for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria.
