UN Refugee Chief Meets Syria's President Over Syrian Returns
UN refugee chief Barham Salih says rising returns and the needs of millions still displaced require sustained international support.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Tuesday to discuss the return of displaced Syrians and the support needed to rebuild communities after years of conflict.
Salih, a former Iraqi president, said on X that his meeting with al-Sharaa focused on the growing number of Syrians returning home, while millions remain displaced inside and outside the country.
"I met President Ahmad Al-Sharaa to discuss the rising number of Syrians returning home, the millions still displaced, and the support needed to rebuild lives after years of conflict," Salih said.
Focus on Returns and Reconstruction
The UN refugee chief said the discussions also addressed the broader reconstruction needs facing Syria as displaced people seek to rebuild their lives and return to their communities.
Salih stressed that a peaceful and inclusive political environment would be essential to achieving lasting recovery.
"A peaceful and inclusive Syria is the foundation for lasting recovery," he said, adding that Syrians have demonstrated a strong determination to rebuild their country.
The remarks come as Syria continues to face the consequences of more than a decade of war, including widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure and significant humanitarian needs.
Call for International Support
Salih urged the international community to support Syrians' efforts to rebuild through continued assistance, investment and solidarity.
"Syrians are determined to rebuild," he said, arguing that international support should match that commitment.
The UN refugee agency has continued to emphasize the need for safe and sustainable conditions for returns, particularly as increasing numbers of Syrians consider returning home.
Salih's meeting with al-Sharaa comes amid broader efforts to address displacement and reconstruction as Syria moves through a new political phase and authorities seek to restore stability across the country.