Al-Sharaa tells UN: Syria unified and rising after decades of isolation

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, declaring Syria unified and recovering after decades of isolation.

• Al-Sharaa said Syria has unified from north to south, with weapons consolidated and security and army institutions rebuilt.
• He announced the launch with seven countries of the "Breath of Freedom" team to end Syria's chemical weapons legacy, stating 42 chemical bombs were destroyed.
• Al-Sharaa said about 100 countries had opened contact with Syria through some 4,000 interactions, with roughly 60 diplomatic missions now based in the capital.
• He said the Golan remains Syrian land and all annexation measures are void under Security Council resolution 497, reaffirming commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement.
• Al-Sharaa said Syria rejects Israel's attempts to impose a fait accompli and called for its withdrawal, citing nearly 500 strikes and over 1,200 incursions.
• US Envoy to Syria Tom Barak called Syria the 'greatest story in the Middle East' at an Atlantic Council panel.
• Congressman Joe Wilson stressed the need to stop Israeli attacks on Syria and create conditions for stability.
• Former US diplomat Brett McGurk said there is finally hope in Syria for the first time in 55 years.
• President Ahmed al-Sharaa inscribed Quranic verse 105 from Surah at-Tawbah in the UN Secretary-General's guest book before addressing the General Assembly.