French and German foreign ministers urge peaceful transition on visit to Syria

European ministers meet with de facto leader Ahmad Al Shara in Damascus

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, centre left, talks to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, centre right, flanked by members of the White Helmets civil defence group, during their visit to Sednaya Prison, north of Damascus. EPAShow less

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his German counterpart Anna Baerbock said they wanted to forge a new relationship with Syria, urging a peaceful transition as they met its de facto leader Ahmad Al Shara in Damascus on Friday on behalf of the EU.

Their visit is the most high-profile show of European support for the new Syrian administration since the overthrow of Bashar Al Assad's government last month. They met Mr Al Shara in the Damascus People's Palace, but few details of the talks were made public.

Ms Baerbock said she was travelling to Syria with an "outstretched hand" as well as "clear expectations" of the new rulers, who she said would be judged by their actions.

"We know where the HTS [Hayat Tahrir Al Sham] comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past," she said before the trip, adding that a new beginning to relations could only happen if there is no place for extremism and radical groups. "But we also hear and see the desire for moderation and for understanding with other important actors."

The goal now is for Syria to once again become a respected member of the international community, she said.

Delegations from the US, Europe, Gulf countries and neighbouring states have visited Syria since the overthrow of Mr Al Assad, who succeeded his father Hafez in 2003 and retained power during more than 13 years of civil war with the assistance of Iran and Russia. Mr Al Assad fled to Moscow as rebel groups led by HTS seized control of the capital on December 8.

HTS leader Mr Al Shara has promised to unite Syria under an inclusive administration. He has installed an interim government and initiated the integration of all armed groups, including his own, into a national army. He has said the process of drafting a new constitution and holding elections could take up to four years.

Syria was fragmented into areas controlled by Mr Al Assad's government and his allies, the HTS and other rebel groups based in the north-western province of Idlib, and Turkish-backed militias and a Syrian-Kurd led administration in northern areas along the border with Turkey. Preparations are being made for a National Dialogue Conference that is expected to involve representatives of different groups and governorates, although a date has not been confirmed.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in the Old City of Damascus on Friday. Reuters

The country's new administration faces the challenge of maintaining security in the face of attacks by forces linked to the Assad regime and his Alawite sect, and the threat of a resurgence of ISIS. The extremist group, which once controlled large areas of north, east and central Syria, has continued to carry out attacks since being defeated in 2019.

The interim government has also inherited an economy that has crumbled since the civil war began in 2011, impoverishing much of the population as the currency plummeted and trade was cut off by international sanctions on the Assad regime.

Ms Baerbock said her visit with Mr Barrot on behalf of the EU was a “clear signal” that “a political new beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria is possible”.

“The painful chapter of Assad's rule is over. A new chapter has begun, but not yet written,” she said in a post on X.

Mr Barrot said on the social media platform: “Together, France and Germany stand by the Syrian people, in all its diversity. In Syria, we want to promote a peaceful and demanding transition that serves the Syrians and the regional stability.”

Mr Barrot also met representatives of Syrian civil society organisations in Damascus and expressed hope for a "sovereign and safe" Syria that would leave no room for terrorism, chemical weapons or malign foreign influences.

Germany and France plan to offer technical assistance and advice to Syria as the country drafts a new constitution, he told journalists, saying that hope for the country's democratic transition was "fragile but real".

He called for a political solution for Kurdish fighters in Syria to be integrated into the Syrian state, adding that a permanent ceasefire must be achieved, but he did not respond when asked when the EU could lift sanctions on Syria.

As part of their visit, the ministers also took a tour of Syria's most notorious prison, the vast Sednaya complex.

"Now it's up to the international community to help to bring justice to the people who have suffered here in this prison of hell," Ms Baerbock said.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia's foreign and defence ministers assured newly appointed Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani of the kingdom's support during the first overseas visit by members of the interim government.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani in Riyadh on Thursday. Saudi Press Agency

A delegation including Syrian Minister of Defence Murhaf Abu Qasra and the head of the General Intelligence Service, Anas Khattab, accompanied Mr Al Shibani to Riyadh.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and the Syrian delegation discussed “ways to support everything that contributes to achieving a prosperous future of security, stability, and prosperity for Syria and its people”, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

“The discussions also focused on preserving Syrian state institutions, enhancing their capabilities, and restoring Syria to its rightful place in the Arab and Islamic worlds,” the ministry added.

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a post on X that he had discussed with Mr Al Shibani how best to support Syria's political transition. The Syrian delegation left Saudi Arabia early on Friday, the official Saudi Press Agency said.