Key points
- Sharaa received invitation in February
- Will visit France in the coming weeks
- France to support reconstruction of Syria
ISLAMABAD: French President Emmanuel Macron will host Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday for the latter’s first European visit, the French presidency told AFP.
Macron will “reiterate France’s support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society”, the presidency said Tuesday.
“This meeting is part of France’s historic commitment to the Syrian people who aspire to peace and democracy,” it added.
During the meeting, Macron will emphasise “his demands on the Syrian government, primarily the stabilisation of the region, including Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism,” the presidency said.
Macron had first invited Syria’s new interim leader to visit France in February after his coalition forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year.
Inclusive Syrian government
In March, he repeated the invitation but made it conditional on the formation of an inclusive Syrian government representing “all components of civil society”, describing his initial negotiations with the interim leaders as “positive”.
Syria’s new authorities have repeatedly pledged to protect all religious groups and include all of Syrian society in the transition, with many countries saying they will monitor the new authorities’ conduct before fully lifting sanctions.
Israeli strikes
Since Assad’s overthrow, Israel has also launched hundreds of strikes on Syria, including one near the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday.
A statement by the Syrian president’s office said President Ahmed Al-Sharaa is expected to visit France soon without specifying a date.
According to Arab News, Sharaa received the invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to visit France in February.
