France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) is welcomed by Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (R) as he arrives for a state visit at the Damascus International Airport in Damascus on July 6, 2026. (Credit: Ludovic Marin/AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Syria on Monday, Syria's state news agency said, in the first visit to Damascus by a European Union head of state since rebels led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
The visit underlines Syria's geopolitical transformation under Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander who has established close ties with Western and Middle Eastern powers that shunned Assad, as he seeks to rebuild a country shattered by 13 years of war.
French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Syria on Monday, Syria's state news agency said, in the first visit to Damascus by a European Union head of state since rebels led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
The visit underlines Syria's geopolitical transformation under Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander who has established close ties with Western and Middle Eastern powers that shunned Assad, as he seeks to rebuild a country shattered by 13 years of war.
Israel kills 4 in south; Christian villages receive warnings over displaced residents