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2026-07-09 Syria-Lebanon-Iran
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They were greeted with explosions. Having lost Africa, Macron went to persuade the Syrians
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Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
by Olesya Orlenko
[REGNUM.RU] From July 6 to 7, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Damascus. During their meeting, the French and Syrian leaders spoke loudly of the dawning era of prosperity, strong friendship, and the restoration of justice.
The press, which has already dubbed the trip "historic," is also expressing opinions that its true motive lies in the French desire to secure an advantage at any cost. What, then, can be said about France's intentions regarding Syria?
The previous visit of this level took place in 2009, when Nicolas Sarkozy was President of France and hosted by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Since then, relations between the two countries have undergone changes.
This is largely due to the close cooperation between Syria and Russia in the fight against terrorists. France called the Syrian government's actions "opposition suppression." The French press described the bombing of ISIS-held areas as acts against civilians.
France launched legal proceedings against Assad, even issuing an arrest warrant in 2025 (though it was later revoked). The grounds for this varied, ranging from lawsuits for French journalists killed—among others—as a result of military action, which formed the basis for accusations of crimes against humanity, to accusations of the alleged use of chemical weapons.
Syria's current president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who overthrew the Assad regime, was enthusiastically received by Western politicians. They saw him as a guarantor of the elimination of Russian influence in the region, and an opportunity to advance their interests. In the first months after al-Sharaa's rise to power, the European Union lifted most sanctions on Syria and signed a cooperation agreement on May 11, 2025.
Since al-Sharaa's initial successes, France has tried to keep its finger on the pulse. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot was one of the first official European diplomats to arrive in Damascus in January 2025 to meet with the new Syrian authorities.
France also became the first European country that al-Sharaa visited as head of Syria, after which both presidents announced the creation of a roadmap for cooperation.
Macron's July visit to Syria is being positioned as a continuation of this cooperation. The press noted a significant number of heads of major French corporations accompanying the president: the CEOs of oil giant TotalEnergies, investment company CMA CGM, Airbus, security group Thales, Air France-KLM, and others.
While in Damascus on July 7, Macron announced France's large-scale involvement in rebuilding Syria from the devastation wrought by war. The task is no easy one. International estimates put the cost of rebuilding at €200 billion.
The visit resulted in the signing of a number of state-level agreements in various fields. Numerous contracts were also concluded in construction, agriculture, maritime and air transport, tourism, and energy.
The French side presents these investments as supporting the process of "establishing peace, security, and prosperity." Even the dates of the French president's visit were not chosen by chance. The first session of the new Syrian parliament, to which Macron intended to offer moral support, was scheduled for July 6. Paradoxically, the Syrian authorities postponed the parliamentary session, citing... Macron's visit.
Another ironic aspect of the French president's visit. While in Damascus, Macron wrote on social media: "This morning I saw Syria in all its diversity. I saw dignity, courage, and determination." That very morning, July 7, two powerful explosions rocked the immediate vicinity of the hotel where the French president was staying, injuring several dozen people.
At the same time, it's hard not to note that among the new government and al-Shara'a's associates are individuals who are still under international sanctions due to their past. And the Syrian government's policy toward national minorities still raises questions.
Meanwhile, French media outlets are struggling to place blame for the crimes against the Alawites on the victims themselves. However, there are also voices suggesting that the government is imposing a strict religious regime in the country, destroying the personal and civil liberties that existed even under Assad.
Macron and other members of the French delegation, however, clearly didn't want to go into detail. After all, too much depends on relations with Syria. And it's not just about investment projects, although it's undoubtedly easier and cheaper for French businesses to conduct them outside their own country. And the search for new platforms for operations is more urgent than ever given Paris's loss of the African market.
There are a number of other aspects. First, Syria is taking on particular significance in the context of the US and Israel's war with Iran, or more specifically, against the backdrop of the energy collapse associated with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. From this perspective, the Syrian port of Baniyas, which can receive oil from Iraq and the UAE, is of strategic importance.
The Syrian authorities are trying to convince the international community of their ability to ensure transit, and the media is discussing the risks and prospects that such an opportunity opens.
The second issue concerns strategic and political influence in the region. During their visit to Damascus, the French President and Foreign Ministry raised the issue of Lebanon's security, whose interests France traditionally protects.
Concerns have been raised by US President Donald Trump's proposal to task Syria with combating Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon. Since the Lebanese-Syrian border has not yet been officially delineated, France plans to act as a guarantor in this area. It's no coincidence that Macron cited security as one of the key aspects of cooperation with Syria.
Could all these considerations outweigh Macron's declared ethical concerns about "defending democratic values"? They certainly could. After all, France has calmly cooperated in this region even with recognized terrorists.
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Posted by badanov 2026-07-09 00:00||
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File under: Govt of Syria/HTS
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Posted by Skidmark 2026-07-09 12:58||
2026-07-09 12:58||
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