U.N. Security Council Visits Syria and Lebanon Amid Ongoing Conflicts

Representatives from all fifteen member states of the United Nations Security Council are set to embark on their first official visit to Syria and Lebanon on December 2, 2025. This timely visit coincides with the upcoming anniversary of the fall of Bashar al-Assad on December 8 and comes as Lebanon grapples with a fragile cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel, alongside ongoing Israeli operations targeting Hezbollah.

Slovenian ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Zbogar, who is leading the trip due to Slovenia's rotating presidency of the Council, emphasized the significance of this visit for expressing support and solidarity with the people of both countries.

During their four-day trip, the Council members will engage in discussions in Damascus, Beirut, and southern Lebanon, where U.N. peacekeepers from UNIFIL are stationed. Diplomats are expected to meet with key political and military figures in both nations, including a notable meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who recently had sanctions lifted to facilitate his meeting with President Trump.

This acknowledgment marks a significant shift, as al-Sharaa had previously been designated a terrorist by the Council. The aim of this visit is not only to assess the current challenges facing Syria and Lebanon but also to convey the Council's desired path forward amidst ongoing humanitarian crises and geopolitical tensions in the region.

The visit underscores the long-standing strategic interests of major powers like Russia and the United States in these conflict-ridden nations, which have been central to the Security Council's agenda for decades.

The dynamics of this trip will likely influence future international policies and actions regarding both Syria and Lebanon. As the Council engages with local leadership, the outcomes of these discussions may play a crucial role in shaping the region's stability and security going forward.