French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Syria on Monday, according to Syria's state news agency SANA, marking the first visit to Damascus by a European Union head of state since rebels led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The visit highlights Syria's geopolitical transformation under Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander who has forged close ties with Western and Middle Eastern powers that previously shunned Assad, as he seeks to rebuild a country devastated by 13 years of war.
Macron's message and reception
"I am here to affirm France's commitment to the Syrian people. For a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbours. Together, let's open a new page of stability and peace," Macron said in a post on X after his arrival. He was received at Damascus airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, SANA reported.
Reconstruction and business delegation
Syria's reconstruction is expected to be a key theme of the trip. Macron is accompanied by business leaders including the CEOs of TotalEnergies and French container shipping group CMA CGM, a French presidential official told reporters in a briefing ahead of the visit. The official added that Macron will also stress France's commitment to a free, pluralistic Syria that respects all its communities and will meet Syrians from all backgrounds and affiliations.
Previous engagements and context
Sharaa met Macron during a visit to France last year, his first to a European country since toppling Assad. Macron was a leading voice calling for the lifting of Western sanctions that had throttled the Syrian economy; most were removed last year. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose country was a strong backer of the anti-Assad rebellion, was the first foreign head of state to visit Syria after Assad's fall, in January 2025. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Damascus in January, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met Sharaa during a visit to Syria in April.
