Syria’s de facto chief, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is ready to fulfill with the French and German international ministers on Friday, marking the highest-level engagement by main Western powers since new authorities took management in Damascus.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived within the Syrian capital earlier Friday, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock joined him later, a ministry supply confirmed, as a part of talks on behalf of the European Union.
Sharaa, chief of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, led the offensive that ousted Syria’s longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in early December.
The HTS-led interim authorities now face the daunting job of rebuilding state establishments amid requires an inclusive transition and ensures of minority rights.
Barrot, in a publish on X, mentioned, “Together, France and Germany stand alongside the Syrian people, in all their diversity.”
He added that the 2 European powers purpose to advertise a “peaceful transition.” Speaking in Damascus, he expressed hope for a “sovereign, stable and peaceful” Syria, including, “It is a fragile hope, but a real one.”
In an announcement, Baerbock mentioned Germany desires to assist Syria change into a “safe home” for all its folks and a “functioning state with full control over its territory.”
She described the go to as a “clear signal” to Damascus of the potential for a renewed relationship between Syria and Europe.
She additionally urged the brand new regime to keep away from “acts of vengeance against groups within the population,” expedite elections, and stop efforts to radicalize the judicial and schooling programs.
“This must be our common objective,” she mentioned.
Visit to Saydnaya jail
The two ministers additionally plan to go to Saydnaya jail, close to the capital.
The facility, notorious for extrajudicial executions, torture, and compelled disappearances, symbolizes the atrocities dedicated towards Assad’s opponents.
Since Assad’s ouster, international envoys have flocked to Damascus to interact with the brand new management.
France and Germany each despatched lower-level delegations final month.
At the beginning of his go to, Barrot met with representatives of Syria’s Christian communities.
Diplomatic sources mentioned he assured them that France stays dedicated to a pluralistic Syria with equal rights for all, together with minorities.
Syria’s civil struggle, which started in 2011 with the Assad regime’s brutal repression of pro-democracy protests, left greater than 500,000 useless, displaced tens of millions, and devastated the nation.
The battle additionally led Germany, France, and different nations to shut their embassies in Damascus.
The new authorities have referred to as for lifting sanctions imposed throughout Assad’s rule to facilitate reconstruction.
Paris is ready to host a world summit on Syria later this month, following the same gathering in December in Jordan.
Source: www.dailysabah.com