Overview
- Al‑Scharaa is due to arrive Monday, with meetings Tuesday at Schloss Bellevue with President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier and at the Chancellery with Chancellor Friedrich Merz followed by a joint press conference.
- The delegation’s program includes an afternoon discussion at the Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft following the government talks.
- Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Schaibani is expected to meet German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to discuss the structure of Syria’s political transition and protections for all societal groups.
- German officials say the agenda includes the possible return of Syrians, with authorities reporting roughly 6,000 applications for voluntary return support and about 3,700 departures by year’s end.
- Rights organizations and community groups plan protests in Berlin over alleged discrimination against minorities under the new authorities, underscoring controversy over engaging a leader with an HTS background after Assad’s ouster.