• Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa attends the UN General Assembly for the first time since 1967.
• This visit follows the fall of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
• Al-Sharaa aims to push for sanctions relief as Syria seeks to rebuild its economy.
• Ongoing negotiations for a security deal with Israel are also a focal point of his visit.
• The first parliamentary elections in Syria since Assad's ouster are scheduled for October 5.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in New York on Sunday, marking the first time a Syrian head of state has participated in the UN General Assembly in nearly six decades. The last Syrian leader to attend was in 1967, prior to the prolonged rule of the Assad family that concluded with Bashar al-Assad being ousted in December 2024 during an insurgent offensive led by Al-Sharaa himself. His visit highlights Syria's attempt to re-engage with the international community following years of civil conflict.

During the assembly, Al-Sharaa is expected to hold various meetings with world leaders and push for the permanent lifting of US sanctions imposed on Syria, which remain in place despite recent easing. Al-Sharaa seeks to rehabilitate Syria’s economy and infrastructure, which have been severely damaged by prolonged war. Although President Trump previously lifted several sanctions, the most stringent measures, established under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act in 2019, necessitate congressional approval for removal, creating a significant hurdle for Syria's economic recovery. This context emphasizes the complexity of Syria's international relations as Al-Sharaa seeks to foster cooperation with both Arab nations and the West.

Relations with Israel are another key issue during Al-Sharaa’s visit. Israel has maintained a cautious stance towards the new Syrian leadership and has conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military targets, heightening tensions since the fall of Assad. Al-Sharaa has initiated negotiations focused on a potential security agreement that could create a framework for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from a buffer zone in southern Syria. While he expressed optimism about reaching a deal soon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tempered expectations, labeling the progress as still "a vision for the future."

Additionally, the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Syria, set for October 5, will be the first since Assad's departure. It is notable that the selection process will not involve a direct popular vote; instead, an electoral college from each province will select two-thirds of the assembly members, with Al-Sharaa appointing the remaining third. This decision reflects the ongoing challenges in conducting elections as many citizens remain displaced or lack proper documentation due to the civil conflict.