France Pledges Support for Syrians During Transition Amid Engagement with New Rulers

A French diplomatic delegation visited the Syrian embassy in Damascus on Tuesday, marking the first such visit since Bashar al-Assad was ousted by Islamist-led rebels. French special envoy for Syria, Jean-Francois Guillaume, stated that France is preparing to support Syrians during their transition, hoping for a peaceful period ahead. The French flag was raised in the embassy for the first time since it was closed in 2012, signaling the significance of this visit. Guillaume emphasized that the delegation’s goal was to establish contact with the de facto authorities in Damascus.

Meanwhile, the European Commission’s President, Ursula Von der Leyen, announced that the EU would increase direct engagement with Syria’s new leadership. She stressed the importance of addressing the growing threat of the Islamic State’s resurgence and underscored the necessity of continued dialogue with factions such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Germany also took a step towards engaging with the new Syrian government. German diplomats held their first talks with the government installed by HTS, focusing on an inclusive transition process and the protection of minorities. Germany remains cautious, acknowledging HTS’s origins in al-Qaida ideology but expressing a willingness to assess the group’s actions moving forward. The country has been a primary destination for Syrian refugees in recent years.

British diplomats also engaged with HTS leaders, including Ahmad al-Sharaa, during their visit to Damascus. The UK has not ruled out reconsidering its classification of HTS as a terrorist organization, but for now, officials continue to engage with the group. In a meeting with the West, al-Sharaa called for the lifting of sanctions and an end to Israeli airstrikes on Syria, highlighting the need for peace and stability in the region.

The United Nations’ humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, also met with Syrian leaders, expressing cautious optimism about the potential for scaling up humanitarian support in the country. Fletcher, after meeting with HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, suggested that there is a foundation for increased aid, signaling a rare moment of hope amidst Syria’s prolonged crisis.