ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged the international community to “immediately” remove all sanctions on Syria to help the country’s recovery.

“I welcome steps that have eased sanctions and opened new possibilities for economic recovery. But all these sanctions must be removed immediately. And recovery will depend on much more,” Guterres said during a presser in Damascus.

The UN chief wrapped up his two-day visit to Damascus, where he met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and several other top officials during the trip. The main topics on his agenda were protecting Syria’s sovereignty from Israeli incursions, which he called “intolerable” a day earlier, and support for the country’s recovery.

The US and EU imposed sanctions on Syria’s former regime in 2011, following former dictator Bashar al-Assad’s violent repression of civilians.

Assad was toppled in December 2024 by a group of rebels led by now-interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, forcing him to flee to Russia.

The new authorities in Damascus repeatedly called on the international community, notably the US and European countries, so the country could begin rebuilding and pave the way for the return of millions of Syrians who sought asylum in neighboring and European countries.

Last year both the US and EU suspended sanctions on the country, while investors have remained cautious. 

“They should not have to carry the burden of recovery alone,” Guterres said, stressing that the country needs more than sanction relief to recover.

“The international community must match Syrian determination with sustained political support, economic engagement and practical assistance. Syria needs investment in its people, its economy and institutions,” he added.

Guterres became the first UN chief to visit the country since 2009, two years before the civil war which killed more than half a million people.