Syrian President al-Sharaa Discusses Reconstruction and Sanctions with Macron in Paris

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Paris on Wednesday for his first official visit to Europe since taking office following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. The visit, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, is a notable diplomatic engagement for the new Syrian leader, who previously led the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, an offshoot of al-Qaeda. During his visit, al-Sharaa met with Macron at the Elysee Palace, where they discussed a range of issues including the reconstruction of Syria, the safety of minority groups, and regional security. Macron expressed France's commitment to supporting a stable and sovereign Syria, emphasizing the need to lift sanctions to aid in the country's recovery. The discussions also covered the recent sectarian clashes and Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. The visit has stirred controversy in France, with criticism from the political right and far-right due to al-Sharaa's past affiliations with jihadist groups. Despite this, Macron's administration views the meeting as a step towards stabilizing Syria and fostering economic ties, with French companies like CMA CGM already engaging in reconstruction contracts such as the 30-year deal to operate the port of Latakia. Al-Sharaa's trip also included a visit to the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing a gesture of goodwill towards the Syrian community in France. French NGO Mehad has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria, urging quick action from France. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot defended the talks, stating that not engaging with Syrian leaders would be detrimental to regional stability. Meanwhile, far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticized the meeting, calling it 'provocative and irresponsible' due to al-Sharaa's jihadist background.