French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, May 7. This was reported by the French publication Le Monde, reports News.bg.
This will be the former Islamist rebel's first European visit. During the meeting, Macron is expected to reaffirm France's support for building a new, free, stable and sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society.
Macron will also emphasize his demands for the Syrian government, primarily stabilizing the region and fighting terrorism.
Macron first invited Syria's new interim leader to visit France in February, after Islamist-led forces ousted longtime leader Bashar al-Assad late last year. In March, he repeated the invitation, but made it conditional on the formation of an inclusive Syrian government representing all components of civil society.
Syria's new Islamist authorities, who have roots in the al-Qaeda jihadist network, have promised inclusive governance in the multi-confessional and multi-ethnic country. They have vowed to protect all religious groups and include all of Syrian society in the transition.