The heads of French and German diplomacy met on Friday January 3 with the new Syrian leader during a visit to Damascus. It was the first meeting between officials from major Western powers and Ahmed Al-Charaa, who took power on December 8 after the flight of President Bashar Al-Assad.
Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock, whose visit comes under a mandate from the European Union (EU), were able to speak with the new leader of Syria, at the presidential palace, the same place where Bashar Al-Assad received his guests.
The first steps of Ahmed Al-Charaa, leader of the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Cham (HTC), which dominated the coalition that overthrew the regime, are being closely scrutinized. “Together, France and Germany stand alongside the Syrian people, in all their diversity”wrote, on X, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. Both countries want “foster a peaceful and demanding transition in the service of Syrians and for regional stability”added Jean-Noël Barrot.
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“My trip today, with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU, is a clear signal to Syrians: a new political start between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria is possible »said Annalena Baerbock for her part. “It is with this outstretched hand, but also with clear expectations of the new leaders, that we go to Damascus today”she added. “We want to support them in this area: in an inclusive and peaceful transfer of power, in the reconciliation of society, in reconstruction”said the minister again, adding: “We will continue to judge HTC by its actions (…) despite our skepticism. »
A little later, Jean-Noël Barrot called for the destruction of the stockpiles of chemical weapons created by the power of Bashar Al-Assad. “A sovereign and secure Syria leaves no room for the proliferation and dissemination of weapons of mass destruction and chemical weapons of the criminal regime of Bashar Al-Assad”he judged, adding that he would ask the new authorities to “immediately appeal to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons”in order to “proceed to destroy chemical weapons stockpiles”.
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The French minister also pleaded for a “political solution” with the Kurds who control a large part of the northeast of the country, during a meeting with representatives of civil society.
Dissolution of armed factions
Faced with the challenge of unifying the country, Ahmed Al-Charaa pledged to dissolve the armed factions, notably the HTC group. He announced his intention to convene a national dialogue, without specifying a date or who would be invited, and he said it could take four years to organize elections.
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Ahmed Al-Charaa calls for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on the power of Bashar Al-Assad after the bloody repression of the popular uprising of 2011, which triggered a war that left more than half a million dead, pushed to exile of millions of inhabitants and fragmented the country. HTC, the former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, claims to have broken with jihadism but remains classified as “terrorist” by several Western capitals, notably Washington.
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On the site of the French embassy, closed since 2012, Jean-Noël Barrot expressed the hope of seeing “a sovereign, stable and peaceful Syria”. “It’s a real hope, but it’s a fragile hope”he added. He announced that “in the coming weeks, depending on the evolution of security conditions, we will gradually prepare the arrangements for reestablishing the French presence”.
Visit to Saydnaya Prison
Leaders from many Arab and Western countries have been rushing to Damascus since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad, breaking the isolation imposed on Syria since the civil war. The new power carried out a clear shift in Syria’s foreign policy, whose main allies were Russia and Iran, moving closer in particular to Turkey and Qatar and outlining openings towards the West.
Jean-Noël Barrot began his visit with a meeting with religious representatives of the Christian community, worried about the arrival of Islamists in power. He also spoke with representatives of civil society, repressed by the Baathist power and marginalized.
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On the eve of his visit, the minister also had a meeting with the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF, dominated by the Kurds), Mazloum Abdi, who fears paying the price for change in Syria. The two men discussed “the ongoing transition in Syria”declared the French foreign ministry.
Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock also went to Saydnaya prison, a symbol of mass repression under Bashar Al-Assad. Accompanied by members of the White Helmets, Syrian rescuers, they visited cells and underground jails where conditions of detention were inhumane and where many prisoners died under torture. According to the Association of Detainees and Missing at Saydnaya Prison, more than 4,000 detainees were released on the day Damascus fell to rebels.
