French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, marking the Syrian leader’s first trip to Europe, according to the French presidency.
During the visit, Macron is expected to “reiterate France’s support for the building of a new Syria, a free Syria, stable, sovereign and respectful of all the communities of the Syrian society,” as stated in an official release. The French government emphasized that this meeting is part of France’s “historic commitment to the Syrian people who want peace and democracy.”
Macron previously became the first European leader to engage in dialogue with al-Sharaa in February, during which he extended an invitation for him to visit France.
Al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel, has drawn a measured response from the international community following his forces’ overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad late last year. Al-Sharaa has pledged to protect minority groups and adopt more inclusive policies, but recent sectarian violence has raised concerns that he is struggling to control extremist factions within Syria. Human rights groups have reported that hundreds, mostly from the Alawite community, were killed during sectarian clashes in March.
It is likely that al-Sharaa will seek Macron’s support in efforts to have international sanctions on Syria lifted. Although the EU suspended some sanctions in February, including those targeting energy, transport, and banking, many nations are cautious about lifting them fully without seeing significant progress on democratic reforms and the protection of women’s and minority rights.
Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for over two decades, was accused of committing numerous crimes against humanity during Syria’s prolonged civil war.
