Al-Sharaa at UN: Golan Heights Will Remain Syrian Territory
World
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told the 81st session of the UN General Assembly that Syria had entered a phase of recovery, reconstruction and transitional justice after years of conflict. He reaffirmed Syria’s sovereignty and called for Israel’s withdrawal from Syrian territory.
According to al-Sharaa, Damascus is seeking to help ensure security in the Levant and move from a period of crisis toward national recovery. The Syrian president also expressed support for international cooperation and a just peace that takes the rights of all sides into account.
Al-Sharaa devoted particular attention to the Golan Heights. “The Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory, and all measures aimed at annexation are invalid,” he said. He also accused Israel of continuing incursions, raids and strikes on Syrian territory and called on Israel to leave Syrian lands.
Damascus’s position on the Golan reflects its longstanding official stance. UN Security Council Resolution 497, adopted in 1981, determined that Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Golan Heights had no international legal effect. The UN General Assembly has subsequently reaffirmed the status of the Golan as occupied Syrian territory in repeated resolutions.
Al-Sharaa also said that more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees had voluntarily returned to the country. He said Syria was seeking to move into a period of reconstruction and institution-building after years of conflict.
In earlier discussions at the UN Security Council, al-Sharaa also stressed the need to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and comply with the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. According to UN records, he said security talks mediated by the United States were continuing.
The Syrian president’s address came as international discussions continue over Syria’s reconstruction, sovereignty and relations with neighbouring countries.
Al-Sharaa devoted particular attention to the Golan Heights. “The Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory, and all measures aimed at annexation are invalid,” he said. He also accused Israel of continuing incursions, raids and strikes on Syrian territory and called on Israel to leave Syrian lands.
Damascus’s position on the Golan reflects its longstanding official stance. UN Security Council Resolution 497, adopted in 1981, determined that Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Golan Heights had no international legal effect. The UN General Assembly has subsequently reaffirmed the status of the Golan as occupied Syrian territory in repeated resolutions.
Al-Sharaa also said that more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees had voluntarily returned to the country. He said Syria was seeking to move into a period of reconstruction and institution-building after years of conflict.
In earlier discussions at the UN Security Council, al-Sharaa also stressed the need to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and comply with the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. According to UN records, he said security talks mediated by the United States were continuing.
The Syrian president’s address came as international discussions continue over Syria’s reconstruction, sovereignty and relations with neighbouring countries.
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