Thousands of Syrians filled streets and public squares Wednesday to watch President Ahmed al-Sharaa deliver Syria’s first address to the U.N. General Assembly since 1967.
In the capital, Damascus, hundreds assembled carrying flags more than two hours before the start of al-Sharaa's speech.
As the address began, Umayyad Square fell silent and when the speech concluded, celebrations erupted in Umayyad Square and Unknown Soldier Square on Mount Qasioun, with people chanting slogans in support of Syria and al-Sharaa.
Last December, al-Sharaa led an anti-regime alliance to overthrow longtime autocrat Bashar Assad and was appointed interim president of the country.
Syria was long isolated and subject to sanctions during the civil war under Assad. The last speech by a Syrian head of state to the U.N. plenary was delivered by then-Syrian President Nureddin al-Atassi in 1967.
