Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Julani, arrived in Paris on Wednesday for a landmark meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, marking his first European visit since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December, Reuters reported. The diplomatic overture signals France’s cautious readiness to engage with Syria’s transitional leadership as Sharaa seeks international backing to restore order and rebuild a country devastated by 14 years of war.
Sharaa, who remains under United Nations terrorism sanctions due to his past leadership of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, was granted a rare exemption to travel to France. His meeting with Macron aims to secure support for Syria’s fragile stability, including discussion of sovereignty, protection of minorities following recent sectarian violence, counter-terrorism coordination, and a possible easing of economic sanctions.
French officials said talks would also focus on the handling of Druze and Alawite communities, targeted in recent attacks, and Syria’s engagement in fighting Islamic State militants. “If Syria were to collapse today, it would be like rolling out a red carpet for Islamic State,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned in a televised statement.
France has gradually increased its diplomatic presence in Damascus, recently appointing a chargé d’affaires and dispatching a small team of diplomats. Macron’s administration, which never normalised relations with Assad, sees an opportunity to influence Syria’s future while the United States maintains a firm stance against recognising any Syrian government entity and upholds strict sanctions.
Despite opening dialogue, France remains cautious. “We are not writing a blank cheque and we will judge (Sharaa) on actions,” Barrot said, underlining that accountability for past crimes and a commitment to inclusive governance remain prerequisites for full normalisation.
Paris has also acted as a mediator between Sharaa and Kurdish forces in the northeast, as Washington reduces its military footprint in Syria. France, with special forces still stationed in Kurdish-held territories, hopes to prevent renewed conflict and ensure power is centralised peacefully under Damascus’s new leadership.
Reconstruction is a pressing issue. The World Bank estimates Syria needs over $250 billion to recover. While some EU sanctions have been eased, others are set to expire on 1 June. France is pushing for broader dialogue within the EU to review sanctions that could hamper Syria’s economic recovery and foreign investment.
Sharaa’s visit, seen as a diplomatic lifeline, may mark a turning point for Syria’s re-entry into international politics—if concrete reforms follow.
