Al-Sharaa says visit to NY marks 'Syria's return to intl. community'
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Ahmad al-Sharaa stresses the importance of Syria's national unity and addresses the prospect of a peace process with the Israeli occupation.
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Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrives ahead of a meeting at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters, Monday, September 22, 2025. (AP)
Syria's transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa said his visit to New York marks "Syria's return to the international community," the state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV quoted Sharaa as saying in an interview with the Middle East Institute in New York.
During the interview, Al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria’s stability is inseparable from its national unity, and warned that any attempt to divide Syria would primarily harm the country itself, and then its neighbors, namely Turkey and Iraq.
Expanding on the matter, al-Sharaa stressed that Syria's national unity represents the foundation for sustainable peace and security, urging all relevant and involved parties to refrain from discourse that might promote national division and fragmentation, as it would threaten domestic and regional stability.
He also touched on internal developments, pointing to recent unrest in Sweida, which he said "was marred by mistakes on all sides." However, he claimed that new efforts at reconciliation and healing are underway.
Al-Sharaa implies amity with 'Israel'
In a notable part of his interview, al-Sharaa claimed that the success of any agreement with "Israel" could “pave the way for other agreements that contribute to spreading peace in the region,” asserting that such a step requires "Israel" to return to the situation that existed before December 8, 2024, adding that “Syria has said it will not be a source of danger to anyone.”
Syria's interim president has profusely expressed his desire to reconcile with the Israeli occupation, despite its constant attacks on Syrian territory and extensive occupation of southern Syria.
In this context, a high-level Israeli source cited by the i24News channel said a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and al-Sharaa is reportedly set to take place at the White House in Washington next Monday.
He also noted that since the new regime took control of Damascus, nearly one million Syrians have returned to the country, and pointed to a 90% drop in Captagon exports from Syria.
“It is not in anyone’s interest for Syria to return to the previous situation,” he said, reaffirming that Syria aims to be “equidistant from everyone.”
Justice, reconciliation, and military integration
On transitional justice, al-Sharaa called for accountability “without frightening people or making any group feel targeted,” asserting the state's right to prosecute anyone who attacks civilians.
Addressing broader security dynamics, he said that Washington could play a constructive role by helping to integrate Kurdish fighters into the Syrian army, a move he claimed would enhance stability and strengthen national unity.
Read more: Syria to hold first parliamentary elections since Assad on October 5
