French president to host Syrian counterpart in first European visit

ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron will host Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday during Sharaa’s first visit to Europe, the French presidency confirmed.

According to France 24, the meeting aims to reaffirm France’s support for “the construction of a new Syria -- a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society.”

“This meeting is part of France's historic commitment to the Syrian people who aspire to peace and democracy," the presidency said in a statement.

Macron will also share his expectations of the Syrian government, concerning the stabilization of the region, it further added.

A new transitional administration led by President Sharaa was formed in January following the fall of former President Bashar Assad’s regime.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long grip on power that began in 1963.