Cyprus News Agency

From the UNGA podium, Syrian President Ahmed Shara called on countries to lift all sanctions.

Key points from Shara’s address:

“I come to you from Damascus, one of the cradles of civilization. Syria, which taught this to the world, was ruled for 60 years by an oppressive regime in which human life was devalued and the people were crushed by repression and injustice. But we managed to restore our dignity.

The previous regime used the most terrible methods of torture against our people. With chemical weapons and narcotic drugs they tortured our people, tore our country apart and brought in fighters from all over the world.

The previous regime killed 1 million innocent people and drove hundreds of thousands from their homes. Two million homes were destroyed. They attacked unarmed civilians with chemical weapons, mercilessly killed women and children, and used poisonous gas to silence the truth. There was no language of solution.

The people had no choice but to organize militarily and rid themselves of that regime. It was an operation undertaken with goodwill and compassion, and carried out with forbearance. Civilians were never targeted. We fought only for justice; thus we prevailed—for the families of our martyrs, for our people, for the future of our children, so that refugees and migrants could return home. We are opening a difficult yet new page.

This success for Syria and the solidarity among our peoples continue our struggle against discrimination, sectarianism, and those who seek to divide our country again. The Syrian people know well how to resist this. Our efforts will continue to bring the guilty to justice.

The international community’s supportive stance toward Syria is vital; without it, new crises will emerge in our region. In the face of these attacks, Syria stands for dialogue and asks the international community to stand with us in line with the 1974 Agreement.

We continue intensive diplomatic efforts to restore our international relations. Together with global and regional partners, we have worked to lift many sanctions. Now we call for their complete removal, for the chains on the Syrian people’s feet must be undone.

Syria is building new institutions from scratch and rewriting its laws to create a new country that safeguards everyone’s rights.

I thank all who stood by the Syrian people and assisted during these tragedies—especially Türkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, all Arab countries, the United States and Europe.

We wish our suffering upon no one. We are among the peoples who understand the horrors of war best; therefore, we stand with the people of Gaza. We want the war to end. Syria has opened a new page for peace, prosperity and stability.”