Arab Group at UN urges US to delist Syria from terrorism
Calls for removal from terrorism list and Israeli withdrawal as Syria’s recovery and transition are discussed at Security Council
NEW YORK (MNTV) – The Arab Group at the United Nations has urged the United States to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, arguing that the designation no longer reflects current political realities and is obstructing the country’s economic recovery.
Speaking at a Security Council session on Syria on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s UN Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil said the listing, imposed in 1979 during the rule of the former Assad government, was outdated following political changes in the country after the regime’s fall in December 2024.
Alwasil said the Arab Group reaffirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and backed efforts by Syrian authorities to extend state control across all its territory.
He noted that since the lifting of most US sanctions in June last year, Syria has seen what he described as a significant economic shift, with increased investment in key sectors and growing international engagement with the country’s new leadership.
The Arab Group said delisting Syria would help facilitate further foreign investment and accelerate reconstruction efforts, while also encouraging international institutions to support Syria’s transition and recovery process in line with national priorities.
Alwasil also said the new Syrian authorities were actively working to combat terrorism, calling for continued international support in efforts against Daesh and other extremist groups.
He emphasized the need for coordinated global assistance to strengthen Syrian institutions, support early recovery efforts, and enable the voluntary and dignified return of refugees displaced by more than a decade of conflict.
The group also called for expanded international support to host countries that continue to shelter large numbers of Syrian refugees, warning that the burden should not fall solely on them.
Addressing the issue of unexploded ordnance and landmines left behind by years of war, Alwasil urged stronger international cooperation to assist Syria in clearing explosive remnants and improving civilian safety conditions.
On security matters, the Arab Group strongly condemned continued Israeli military activity in Syrian territory, describing it as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, international law and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
It called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas they entered recently, as well as from the occupied Golan Heights, and urged the international community to ensure compliance with international agreements.
Alwasil concluded by reaffirming the Arab Group’s commitment to supporting Syria’s stability and reconstruction, and to assisting its efforts to build a secure and functional state based on justice, governance and the rule of law.
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