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<\/a><\/p>\nPublished On 23 Sep 202623 Sep 2026<\/p>\n
Syria\u2019s President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for Israel to withdraw from internationally-recognised Syrian territory in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, saying Israel\u2019s actions undermined the country\u2019s security and progress after a devastating civil war.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe reject Israeli attempts to impose a fait accompli. We reject their aggressions, which undermine peace and security,\u201d he said, asserting that there have been \u201c500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions and 300 detentions\u201d in Syria by Israel.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt is reminiscent of [an] era that we thought was long gone,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Al-Sharaa, a former fighter aligned with Syria\u2019s al-Nusra Front armed group, came to power in 2024 after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime.<\/p>\n
Journey of recovery<\/p>\n
Now charged with rebuilding the shattered nation, al-Sharaa told the UN that Syria had emerged \u201cfrom crisis to an opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bloodshed was stopped; destruction was stopped. Syria started the journey of reconstruction, of recovery,\u201d al-Sharaa said, citing state control over arms, the lifting of international sanctions and the rebuilding of military and civilian institutions.<\/p>\n
In a speech lasting about 10 minutes, al-Sharaa also cited the \u201csafe and decent\u201d return of about 3.5 million refugees and displaced people, after the conflict spurred a refugee crisis that strained neighbouring countries and stoked persistent hostilities towards migrants in some Western countries.<\/p>\n
![\"Syrian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/afp_6ab3e0c32ebf-1790173379.jpg\")
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters on Wednesday [Spencer Platt\/Getty Images\/AFP]<\/p>\n
This was the Syrian president\u2019s second address to the UN General Assembly following his speech last year.<\/p>\n
Long an international pariah, Syria under its new leadership is now courting international investment and political backing even as its United States-backed neighbour, Israel, deepens ties<\/a> with armed factions from Syria\u2019s Druze minority.<\/p>\n Al-Sharaa urged the international community to commit to a 1974 agreement that created a UN-supervised separation zone between Israeli and Syrian forces, demanding that Israel withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights.<\/p>\n