Damascus, July 25 (SANA)President Ahmadal-Sharaaon Saturday received UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterresat the People’s Palace in Damascus.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the delegation accompanying him arrived atDamascus International Airportthis morning.

They were received by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Assad Hassan al-Shaibani as part of a historic visit to Syria, marking the first visit by a UN Secretary-General to the country since 2009.

Upon his arrival in Damascus, Guterres affirmed via his X account that the United Nations stands withSyriaat this pivotal moment, adding that his visit is one of solidarity.

I have just arrived in Damascus for a visit of solidarity.My message is clear:The@UNstands with Syria at this pivotal moment & I appeal to the international community to spare no effort to support the people of Syria as well.pic.twitter.com/5xg6sNT1J4

In his post, Guterres appealed to the international community to spare no effort in supporting the Syrian people.

Prior to Guterres’s arrival, theUnited Nationsannounced that its Secretary-General would reaffirm the commitment to supporting the Syrian government and people during this critical stage in the country’s history and would emphasize the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

The UN also indicated that the visit would provide an opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the hopes and challenges facing Syrians and to witness the devastating effects of years of war.