The U.N.'s human rights chief backed growing calls for the U.S. and Europe to lift sanctions on Syria as the country rebuilds after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. The sanctions were imposed shortly after the war in Syria broke out in 2011. As he visited Damascus Wednesday, Volker Türk also called for a national reconciliation process and warned outside parties against infringing on Syria's sovereignty.

Volker Türk: “The Human Rights Office of the United Nations will continue to support inclusive, nationally owned and nationally driven processes. There are still very real threats to Syria’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, which must be fully respected and rigorously upheld.”

Earlier this week, six EU member states called for the temporary suspension of sanctions on Syrian transport, energy and banking, as the bloc assesses a new policy toward Syria following the Assad regime’s collapse.