Macron Makes Historic Syria Visit as First European Leader Since Assad’s Fall]

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Tuesday, becoming the first European head of state to visit Syria since President Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in 2024.

The visit comes amid significant security challenges, as two bombs exploded near Macron’s hotel on Tuesday. The Élysée Palace confirmed that the president did not hear the blasts.

During his visit, Macron met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former al-Qaeda commander who led the rebellion that toppled Assad and now seeks to rebuild the country after 13 years of conflict. Their discussions took place ahead of an economic forum on Syria’s reconstruction.

Macron advocated for “a free, pluralist Syria that respects each of its components” and emphasized Syria’s role in moderating regional tensions. He was accompanied by a high-level business delegation, including leaders from CMA CGM, Airbus, and Thales.

On Monday evening, Macron and Sharaa shared dinner and visited the Umayyad Mosque, where the new Syrian leader had announced his takeover following the fall of Assad’s regime in December 2024. On Tuesday, Macron engaged with Syrian civil society representatives.

Throughout his visit, Macron facilitated the return of 23 archaeological artifacts loaned to France’s Arab World Institute in 2010. These objects, representing periods from prehistory through the Abbasid era, were transferred to the National Museum of Damascus.

The delegation signed multiple agreements covering economic and cultural partnerships before Macron’s departure to Turkey for the NATO summit.

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