French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday, marking the first visit by a Western European head of state to Syria since the country’s new government took power in 2024. The trip, confirmed by AFP, is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday. According to the French presidency, Macron intends to express support for a free and pluralistic Syria that respects all its components and contributes to easing tensions in the Middle East.

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani welcomed Macron upon arrival. The visit comes as President Ahmed al-Shara, who replaced long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad after his ouster in December 2024, seeks to restore Syria’s international image and revive its fragile economy. The last French presidential visit to Syria occurred in 2009 under Nicolas Sarkozy, before relations deteriorated following Assad’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011.

Syria’s state news agency SANA described Macron’s visit as a crucial step in restoring the country’s international presence and beginning a new era of balanced partnership between Syria and France.