Syria leader in Paris for first EU visit

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa yesterday met France’s Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first visit to Europe since overthrowing longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

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The visit comes as Syria's new authorities, who have roots in the al-Qaeda jihadist network, come under pressure from Europe to show they are serious about protecting human rights as Damascus seeks the full lifting of Assad-era sanctions.

Sectarian clashes in March in which more than 1,700 people were killed, mostly among Mr Assad’s Alawite minority, sparked international condemnation and doubts over Syria’s new path.

By welcoming Mr Sharaa, Mr Macron hoped to help the authorities on the way to “a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society,” a French presidential official, asking not to be named, told AFP.