Overview

• French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to Paris on May 7, marking al-Sharaa’s first trip to Europe since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
• Macron reiterated France’s support for a free, stable, and sovereign Syria while emphasizing the need for inclusive governance, minority protections, and counter-terrorism efforts.
• Al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel and leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), remains under scrutiny for his government’s ties to extremist groups and its handling of sectarian violence, including clashes in March that killed over 1,700 Alawites.
• The visit comes as Syria seeks sanctions relief and reconstruction aid, with France and international partners conditioning full support on tangible reforms and minority protections.
• The meeting has drawn criticism from France’s far-right, with figures like Marine Le Pen labeling al-Sharaa a ‘jihadist,’ while Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defended the talks as crucial for combating terrorism and stabilizing the region.