The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, will become the first Western leader to travel to Syria since Ahmed al Shara, head of the jihadist militias that overthrew President Bashar al Assad in December 2024, came to power.
The Syrian Presidency has ratified that Macron's visit to Damascus will take place shortly, although the exact date of the trip has not yet been specified. According to the statement released by the official SANA agency, the French leader will hold a meeting with Ahmed al Shara during his stay in the Syrian capital.
French businessmen will also be part of the delegation accompanying Macron. According to the note, both parties will discuss with the Syrian authorities how to boost bilateral ties and will analyze the regional and international situation. Likewise, "opportunities to deepen cooperation in various areas within the framework of political dialogue between the two countries" will be examined.
Ahmed al Shara already traveled to France last year at the invitation of Macron and was received at the Élysée Palace. On that occasion, both parties stressed the importance of supporting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, advancing the country's reconstruction, and strengthening cooperation in areas of common interest.
The emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, was the first head of state to set foot on Syrian soil after Al Shara took power at the head of a coalition of predominantly jihadist militias. Subsequently, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, visited Syria in January 2026, and the Ukrainian President, Volodimir Zelenski, also in January 2026.