French President Emmanuel Macron will hold Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday for the former terrorist leader’s first visit to Europe, the French presidency told AFP.
Macron “reiterates France’s support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereignty Syria that respects all components of Syrian society,” the president said Tuesday.
“This conference is part of France’s historic commitment to the Syrian people seeking peace and democracy,” he added.
During the meeting, Macron said he would highlight “his demands for stabilizing the Syrian government, mainly in Lebanon, and for fighting terrorism.”
New Syrian authorities, with roots in the al-Qaeda jihadist network, have pledged comprehensive rules for multi-ethnic countries.
They have repeatedly pledged to protect all religious groups and include all Syrian societies in the transition, and many countries say they will monitor the actions of new authorities before lifting sanctions entirely.