France's Macron in first post-Assad visit to Damascus : why the Syria stopover ?
Summary
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Damascus, Syria, for the first time since 2009, meeting with Syrian officials. This visit comes amid recent major events in the Middle East, including changes in Iran and Gaza, and raises questions about France’s goals in the region.Key Facts
- Emmanuel Macron is the first French president to visit Damascus since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009.
- Macron met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani during his visit.
- The visit took place on July 6, 2026, as part of a state visit.
- Iran recently buried its Supreme Leader who died in February 2026.
- Hamas has started disarming in Gaza around the same time.
- The timing of Macron’s visit draws attention because of these regional developments.
- The visit aims to engage with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shareh.
- This visit could signal shifts in diplomatic relations and strategies in the Middle East.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.