Macron arrives in Syria as first major western leader to visit war-torn country under new leadership
Summary
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Syria, becoming the first major Western leader to go there since Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in 2024. Macron’s visit aims to discuss regional security and business opportunities amid ongoing rebuilding after years of war.Key Facts
- Macron’s trip marks the first visit by a Western European or North American leader to Syria since Assad’s ouster in 2024.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Syria in April 2025 but Macron is the first from Western Europe or North America.
- Macron is accompanied by a business group to talk about security and investments in Syria.
- He was welcomed by Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani upon arrival.
- Macron previously hosted Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Paris in May 2025 and pushed for lifting sanctions on Syria.
- Many sanctions on Syria have since been removed, partly due to France’s support despite concerns about Syria’s new Islamist-led government.
- Syria’s war destroyed much of the country, caused widespread poverty, and will require hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild.
- Syria has agreements with other countries and companies for investment projects, but these have not yet started.
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