UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived Saturday in the Syrian capital of Damascus on the first visit by a UN chief to the country since 2009.

Axar.az reports, citing Anadolu Agency, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani received Guterres and the accompanying UN delegation at Damascus International Airport.

The visit marks the first by a UN secretary-general to Damascus since former UN chief Ban Ki-moon traveled to the Syrian capital in 2009.

Guterres’ program includes official talks with President Ahmad al-Sharaa and al-Shaibani, as well as meetings with representatives of civil society and local community institutions.