JEAN NOEL BARROT FRENCH MFA VISITED SYRIA & MET WITH HIS COUNTERPART

USPA NEWS - Since Syria experienced a major political and geopolitical turning point, with the takeover of a coalition led by radical Islamists on December 8, 2024, the President of the French Republic Macron stated on the social network X: "The barbaric state has fallen. Finally" He also paid "tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience" Together, France and Germany stand alongside the Syrian people, in all their diversity"
The French head of state expressed the wish to "promote a peaceful and demanding transition in the service of the Syrians and for regional stability" Furthermore, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock travelled to Syria. They had a Joint meeting between Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock and Ahmad Al-Charaa, on 3rd of January 2025.

During his visit, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Noel Barrot, met with the Christian Patriarchs of Syria, and visited the prison of Sednaya before meeting with the Syrian leader Ahmad Al Chareh.

THE FALL OF 54 YEARS OF BACHAR AL ASSAD REGIME IN SYRIA BY THE ISLAMIST GROUP HAYAT TAHRIR AL CHAM
On December 8, 2024, the Bashar al-Assad regime collapsed after 54 years of family dictatorship in Syria. A lightning offensive by the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seized power in Syria, taking control of Damascus.

AHMAD AL ACHAREH AL JOULANI IS THE NEW LEADER OF SYRIA, LEADER OF THE HAYAT TAHRIR AL CHAM GROUP CONTROLLING DAMASCUS
Ahmad al-Shareh, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Joulani, is now the new leader of Syria since December 2024. He was the leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which led a lightning offensive to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad

Iran and Russia, Assad's main allies, were busy on other fronts, leaving the Syrian army weakened in the face of the rebels. This fall marks the end of a violent repression that lasted more than 13 years and leaves a deeply divided country.

Bashar al-Assad, the former Syrian leader fled the country by plane on the night of December 7 to 8, finding refuge in Moscow according to uncertain sources not officially confirmed (Source Euronews TV)

JEAN NOEL BABROT AND AHMAD AL-CHARAA REAFFIRM THE DESIRE FOR A PEACEFUL AND DEMANDING TRANSITION

"During his meeting with Ahmad Al-Charaa, Barrot reaffirmed "the desire for a peaceful and demanding transition, representative of Syrian society in its diversity" (Source: French Diplomacy)

He insisted on "the necessary safeguarding of collective security interests", in particular by "continuing the fight against Daesh" and "preventing the spread of the regime's chemical weapons"
The Minister reiterated "the need to end the fighting in northern Syria and find a solution that preserves the security interests of all, in particular our Kurdish partners in the Syrian Democratic Forces"
Barrot also mentioned the commitment of France and Germany to "provide their technical expertise in criminology to promote the fight against impunity for the crimes of the Assad regime". "(Source: French Diplomacy)

We publish the communique, released by French Affairs Ministry as it was delivered.


COMMUNIQUE RELEASED BY FRENCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Syria - Joint meeting between Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock and Ahmad Al-Charaa
3 January 2025

“Jean-Noël Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock met today with Ahmad Al-Charaa, the head of the de facto Syrian authorities.

The Ministers reaffirmed the desire for a peaceful and demanding transition, representative of Syrian society in its diversity. The de facto authorities committed to broad participation in the transition, and indicated in particular that women would be part of the preparatory committee for a national dialogue conference that will be launched in the coming days. France and Germany offered their expertise to support the constitutional work resulting from the national conference.

The Ministers reiterated the need to safeguard collective security interests, which involves continuing the fight against Daesh, but also preventing the spread of the regime's chemical weapons. They reiterated the need to end the fighting in northern Syria and find a solution that preserves the security interests of all, including our Kurdish partners in the Syrian Democratic Forces alongside whom we are fighting Daesh. The de facto authorities committed to fighting terrorism, to hosting an OPCW mission in the near future, and to working to protect the Syrian-Lebanese border.” Source: French Foreign Affairs of Ministry