Emmanuel Macron to receive Syrian President Ahmad al-Shareh, his first visit to Europe

Syrian President Ahmad al-Shareh, in power since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, will be received on Wednesday, May 7, in Paris by Emmanuel Macron for his first visit to Europe , a source at the Élysée Palace announced to BFMTV on Tuesday, confirming information from AFP.

The French president "will reiterate France's support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society," the same source said.

"This meeting is part of France's historic commitment to Syrians who aspire to peace and democracy," the French presidency added, assuring that Emmanuel Macron would reiterate "his demands on the Syrian government, first and foremost the stabilization of the region, particularly Lebanon, as well as the fight against terrorism."

The French head of state had invited the Syrian transitional leader to visit France in early February. He then made this invitation conditional on the formation of a Syrian government inclusive of "all components of civil society" and guarantees for the country's security, while deeming his initial discussions in this regard "entirely positive."

Since taking power in December, the Islamist coalition governing Syria, led by Ahmad al-Share, has been trying to present a reassuring image, particularly to the international community, which urges it to respect freedoms and protect minorities. At stake is the lifting of sanctions imposed on Bashar al-Assad's government.

But massacres that left 1,700 people dead, mostly Alawites, in the west of the country in March, recent fighting with Druze, and abuses documented by NGOs, raise doubts about the ability of the new authorities to control some of the extremist fighters affiliated with them.

Meanwhile, Israel has recently stepped up its strikes in neighboring Syria, including one on Friday targeting an area near the presidential palace in Damascus. Israel called this a "clear message to the Syrian regime" after the attacks against the Druze minority, which Israeli leaders have championed.

But the Syrian presidency, which has pledged to protect all communities, denounced a "dangerous escalation," while the UN on Saturday called on Israel to "immediately" cease its attacks in Syria.