the head of French diplomacy in Jordan to discuss the post-Bashar el-Assad era

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Aqaba, Jordan, on Saturday, where American, European, Arab and Turkish officials are meeting to discuss Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, according to a press release.

The meeting aims to “work collectively for a peaceful political transition to preserve the unity of Syria and the fundamental rights of all Syrians” after the flight of Bashar al-Assad, chased out on December 8 by a dazzling offensive by Islamist rebels who entered Damascus, the press release states. France is “the only European country represented politically” at this meeting on the Red Sea, he specifies.

“Guarantee the rights of all”

Following an 11-day offensive, a coalition of rebel factions led by the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured much of the country from government forces, ending half a century of power of the Assad family. The new prime minister in charge of the transition until March 1, Mohammad al-Bashir, promised a rule of law and “guarantee the rights of all”in the face of concerns from the international community.

In Aqaba, Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, called for working to avoid “the collapse of Syrian institutions”, during a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, before the meeting international. He also called for a “credible and inclusive” political process to form the next government.