French president Emmanuel Macron welcomed Syrian President Ahmad al-Chareh on Wednesday for his first visit to the West since he came to power at the Head of an Islamist coalition during the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December.
The French head of state praised Syria’s transition manager with a handshake in the presidential palace of honor. The two men must hold a press conference after an interview.
The French president is strongly criticized by the French right and extreme right for the invitation made to this man with the jihadist past.
Massacres which left 1,700 dead, mainly alawite, in March, recent fights with Druzes, and abuses documented by NGOs have raised doubts about the capacity of new authorities – in power since the fall of Bashar al -Assad in December – to control certain extremist fighters which are affiliated to them.
-But, by receiving the Syrian leader, Emmanuel Macron hopes to help accompany the transition to “a free, stable, sovereign Syria respectful of all the components of Syrian society“.
The French presidency has swept away everything “naivete“, assuring knowing”the past“of some Syrian leaders and demand that there are”No complacency“With”terrorist movements“.
The Head of State will therefore ask his guest “to ensure that the fight against impunity is a reality“And that”Officials against civilians“be”tried“Added those around him.
“Our request is that of protection of all civilians, whatever their origin and whatever their religion“, We insisted from the same source.
