The acting Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, had his inaugural European tour by visiting France for an official meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Wednesday night. This encounter marked Sharaa’s first diplomatic trip to Europe after assuming power subsequent to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
For al-Sharaa, this visit provided a chance to showcase a more moderate persona to doubtful European nations.
At a shared press conference, Macron adopted a careful approach, blending support with clear expectations.
“It now falls upon Syria to meet the challenge of embarking on the path toward civil peace and harmony,” he stated.
Macron stated that he backs the gradual relaxation of sanctions—imposed on Assad and his regime throughout the prolonged conflict that concluded with his relocation to Moscow—dependant on the Syrian interim administration’s dedication to implementing justice and undertaking reforms.
He mentioned that he plans to encourage the European Union not to extend the sanctions against Syria.
Al-Sharaa referred to the present sanctions as “an impediment” to recovery. He contended that “there is no reason to keep these measures in place,” pointing out that they were initially enforced against Assad, thus arguing that the current administration shouldn’t be responsible for their consequences.
Macron likewise asserted that the so-called Islamic State group (IS) still poses “the greatest danger” to France.
He urged the United States to continue its military efforts against the Islamic State group in Syria and to remove the sanctions that have been placed on the nation.
Macron assures protection for all Syrians irrespective of their religion, tells al-Sharaa
Over the last several weeks, the United States has begun removing hundreds of soldiers from northeast Syria.
Even though he emphasized that France wouldn’t be “delivering lectures,” Macron asserted that President Assad needs to ensure the protection of “all Syrians irrespective of their religion.”
The French leader mentioned the assaults that occurred in western Syria in March, where approximately 1,700 individuals, predominantly Alawites, lost their lives, along with recent conflicts involving Druze communities.
The visit has sparked considerable discussion among French politicians. Al-Sharaa, who belongs to the Islamist opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, continues to be a contentious figure.
Al-Sharaa remains subject to a UN travel ban, so France needed to seek an exception to allow him to enter.
Macron’s choice to welcome him has sparked intense criticism from France’s right-wing and far-right factions, who denounce the action as giving legitimacy to an individual with a history tied to jihadism.
In response to criticisms from French political groups, Macron rejected the notion that diplomacy should merely involve entertaining partners.
“Have we always welcomed individuals who completely agreed with us?” he questioned, asserting that the transitional government has already initiated the first tangible moves toward a more democratic future.