ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, the French presidency told AFP, in a meeting aimed at reaffirming France’s support for Syria’s political transition and regional stability. Macron will “reiterate France's support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society,” the French presidency said, adding that he will also press “his demands on the Syrian government, primarily the stabilisation of the region, including Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism.” Macron had first invited Syria’s new interim leader to visit France in February after Sharaa assumed the presidency. He also congratulated him in a phone call, according to the Syrian presidency at the time. Last week, France condemned the recent sectarian violence that targeted Syria’s Druze community south of Damascus, with clashes having left over 100 dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. France remains cautiously optimistic about Syria’s ongoing political transition following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. Paris has taken an active role in diplomatic engagement and humanitarian assistance, while emphasizing the need for an inclusive political process and the protection of minority rights. Several Western countries, primarily France and Germany, have been actively engaged with the Syrian government, but have warned that the recent lifting of some sanctions imposed on Assad's regime is conditional on forming an inclusive government. Sharaa, formerly the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now serves as Syria’s interim president after leading the rebel coalition that toppled Assad. He has repeatedly pledged to uphold the rights of all Syrians. The international community has expressed concern that the new Islamist authorities in Damascus may impose strict Islamic rule in Syria, threatening the country’s minority groups, such as Kurds, Druze, Christians, and Alawites.
