Dhaka, Sept. 25 -- For the first time in almost 60 years, a Syrian president addressed the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, marking a symbolic return to the world stage after decades of dictatorship and conflict.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who came to power following the collapse of Bashar Assad's regime last December, told the Assembly: "Syria is reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world." Across Syrian cities, crowds gathered in public squares to watch his speech on giant screens, waving national flags in celebration.

The last time a Syrian head of state spoke at the UN was in 1967, when Noureddine Attasi addressed the Assembly shortly after the Arab-Israeli war that saw Damascus lose control of the Golan Heights. ...