International flights resumed at the Damascus International Airport in Syria's capital on Tuesday in a milestone moment for the recovery from the political turmoil in the country in December.
The Syrian News Agency reported on Tuesday that a plane carrying 145 passengers took off from the Damascus International Airport in Syria on the day and flew to Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, marking the resumption of international flights at the airport.
On Nov 27, 2024, a militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major offensive from northern Syria. Following territorial gains, including the capture of the capital Damascus, the alliance declared the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule on Dec 8.
Airports in Damascus, Aleppo and other places in Syria temporarily suspended operations due to the conflict. On Dec 18, domestic flights resumed at the Damascus International Airport.
International flight operations resume at Damascus International Airport
The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.
In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.
The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.
She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.
The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."
"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.
UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"
