European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib and Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus on Jan. 17, 2025. (Credit: Sana / AFP)
European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, who met with Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday, said she was impressed by his willingness to pacify Syria and seek European "allies", during an interview with AFP upon her return.
“My impression is of a pragmatic and transactional man,” Lahbib said, describing al-Sharaa's willingness to work 'towards appeasement' in Syria and its reconstruction following their two-hour discussion at the former presidential palace of Bashar al-Assad.
“What I heard was very encouraging, full of wisdom. But now we need action" from the new authorities, she told reporters. Lahbib, who oversees crisis management for the European Commission, is the first EU official to visit Damascus since European ministers from France, Germany and Italy.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of the radical Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), claims to have broken ties with jihadism. Since his near-bloodless capture of Damascus on Dec. 8, he has sent repeated signals of openness and goodwill.
Lahbib acknowledged skepticism about al-Sharaa's intentions, saying, “Of course, we have the right not to believe him.” However, she stressed the importance of not abandoning Syria in its hour of greatest need. “Let’s help, but without being naive,” she said.
The commissioner announced €235 million in emergency humanitarian aid for Syria and neighboring countries, targeting essentials like clean water, food and shelter. “The challenges are immense after 50 years of divisions and fractures,” Lahbib said, emphasizing that the population, exhausted after a decade of war and repression, risks revolt if conditions do not improve quickly.
'Lots of expectations'
Lahbib also met with Syrian civil society representatives, noting their cautious optimism. “They have great expectations, but want to believe,” she said.
For two hours, Ahmed al-Sharaa “gave a flawless speech”. During their meeting, he promised reforms, including a national conference representing Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic groups and appointing a woman to head the Syrian National Bank. “What concerns you concerns us too,” al-Shareh reportedly assured Lahbib. However, he remained evasive about the future of two Russian military bases in Syria, which some European countries want dismantled.
On the other hand, he called once again for the lifting of European sanctions to facilitate reconstruction.
Lahbib confirmed that the topic of sanctions would be addressed at the EU Foreign Ministers' Council in Brussels on Jan. 27. Some countries, including France and Germany, support easing sanctions, particularly those affecting the banking and financial sectors.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also urged an “urgent” relaxation of international sanctions during his visit to Damascus on Wednesday.
While emphasizing the immediate need for humanitarian aid, Lahbib said al-Sharaa aims to rebuild Syria quickly and forge a “partnership” with Europe, positioning his country as an “ally” in the Middle East.
