First Syrian President in 60 years speaks at UN General Assembly

NEW YORK: Ahmed al-Sharaa became the first Syrian president in almost 60 years to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

"Syria has transformed from an exporter of crises into an opportunity for peace," he said in New York.

After years of civil war under former ruler Bashar al-Assad, al-Sharaa's transitional government is striving for diplomacy, stability, security and economic development, he said.

"Today, Syria is returning to its rightful place among the countries of the world."

The last speech by a Syrian head of state to the UN plenary was delivered by then-Syrian president Nureddin al-Atassi in 1967.

Last December, al-Sharaa led an alliance to remove al-Assad and was appointed interim president of the country.

His appearance in New York marks his country's official return to the international community, wrote the Washington Institute think tank.

Syria was long isolated and subject to sanctions during the civil war under al-Assad.

--BERNAMA-dpa