Syria‘s brutal civil war, which broke out in 2011, has left around 470,000 people dead and seen ISIS terrorists control vast swathes of the country.
But in shock comments, Milad Atieh claimed the bloody conflict is nearing its end, meaning tourists should have no concerns about travelling to Syria.
The diplomat told Spanish media: “Syria is a safe country to visit. The war is almost over and Syria is recovering.
“Only a few terrorist groups – ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front – remain in the north of the country.
“Since the beginning of the war the government has worked to reconstruct the destroyed cities.
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“Besides, people are returning to the country and there is a lot of work.”
Mr Atieh made the comments at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid, hoping to change the country’s image as a no-go zone for Westerners.
Although it is not illegal for UK citizens to travel to Syria, the Foreign Office warns against all travel to the country.
The Foreign Office website says the situation in Syria is “extremely volatile and dangerous” and urges British nationals in the country to “leave by any practical means”.
Syria attracted 3.6 million tourists in 2005 but many of its UNESCO World Heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed during the war.
ISIS jihadists desecrated the ancient city of Palmyra, including its Roman theatre, before being driven out by government forces last year.
Earlier today, it was claimed that al-Qaeda is poaching fighters from ISIS as the self-proclaimed ‘caliphate’ collapses in the Middle East.
Security sources said a recruitment campaign started last summer before ISIS suffered huge losses in its last few remaining strongholds.
However, Western security chiefs said only a handful of fighters and groups appeared to be reconsidering their allegiance.
One source said: “It’s definitely a trickle not a flood.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega