At the UN, Syria’s Leader Calls For International Help to Rebuild Shattered Nation

In his first UN General Assembly address in over 50 years, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad called for international assistance to rebuild his war-torn nation. Assad acknowledged the devastating impact of the decade-long conflict, stating that Syria's infrastructure, economy, and social fabric have been shattered. He appealed to the international community to provide financial and technical support to help the country recover and stabilize. The Syrian leader also defended his government's actions during the civil war, claiming they were necessary to combat "terrorism." He criticized the unilateral sanctions imposed by Western nations, arguing that they have hindered Syria's ability to rebuild. Assad asserted that his government has regained control over most of the country and is working to restore normalcy, despite ongoing challenges. The speech marked a rare appearance by the Syrian president on the global stage, as the country has been largely isolated diplomatically since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011.