Syria has appointed a new ambassador to the United Nations in a move that is supposed to continue showing that Syria is working with the international community.
According to Syrian state media on August 19, “President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued on Tuesday Decree No. (142) for 2025, appointing Mr. Ibrahim Abdulmalik Olabi as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations in New York.”
Olabi is an important appointment for Syria, which is struggling to show that it can become a stable country after a decade and a half of civil war. Although the new government is backed by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, it still faces challenges. The Druze in southern Syria have chafed under the new rulers. Israel has vowed to defend the Druze, resulting in a collision course. The Trump administration has backed the new government but continues to monitor its performance.
According to Syrian state media SANA, the new UN ambassador “Olabi completed his legal education in the UK at Manchester University, having been awarded both the Undergraduate of the Year and Postgraduate of the Year student awards. He then completed his master’s in public policy at the School of Government, University of Oxford.”
It’s possible that if there are any continued trends in discussions between Israel and Syria, Olabi could play a role. He has been acting as a legal advisor to the Syrian foreign minister since the fall of the Assad regime.
SANA notes that Olabi’s “main careers included efforts towards lifting of sanctions, dismantling the Assad Era chemical weapons, and working with international organizations responsible for justice and accountability. He has participated in many high-level diplomatic meetings over the last period.”
Olabi was a lawyer in the UK prior to Assad’s fall and has worked with NGOs and human rights groups in the past.
The appointment came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focusing on peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. “They also discussed numerous regional issues, including their continued support for peace and stability in Syria, peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Iran’s nuclear program,” the US State Department said on Tuesday.
Jordanian King reiterates importance of Syrian stability
Meanwhile, the king of Jordan also said that stability in Syria is important. The kingdom shares a long border with Syria.
“Jordanian King Abdullah II reiterated Tuesday that Syria’s security and stability is a common priority, noting that Jordan supports Syrian efforts to preserve their country’s stability, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens,” SANA noted.
Syrian border guards also met with the Turkish coast guard this week, indicating that Syria is working on multiple borders and fronts to advance its interests.