The Syrian News Agency reported that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, arrived in Syria today, Saturday, on a visit during which he intends to confirm the international organization’s support for the country during the transitional phase, with the aim of building a “more stable and inclusive” state. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani received Guterres and his accompanying delegation at Damascus International Airport, in what was the first visit by a United Nations Secretary-General to Syria since the visit of his predecessor Ban Ki-moon in 2009. The visit comes more than a year and a half after the new authorities led by Ahmed al-Sharaa came to power, following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad. Guterres is expected to confirm, during his visit, which will continue until Monday, which includes meetings with Al-Sharaa and other officials, the United Nations’ support for the political transition path after more than 13 years of conflict that has claimed the lives of more than half a million Syrians. Guterres' spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said that the Secretary-General will stress during the visit that "the opportunity currently available is not only limited to recovering from the conflict, but also includes laying the foundations for a future for a more stable, inclusive and prosperous Syria for all Syrians." Guterres also intends to meet with representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations supporting women's issues, in addition to visiting the headquarters of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has been stationed in the buffer zone in the Golan since 1974, with the aim of maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria.