French President Emmanuel Macron visits Damascus, first Western European leader since Assad's ouster
Emmanuel Macron arrived in Syria on July 6, 2026, accompanied by French business leaders, and met President Ahmed al‑Sharaa to discuss trade and regional cooperation ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus, Syria, on Monday, July 6, 2026, marking the first visit by a Western European head of state since the overthrow of Bashar al‑Assad in December 2024. The trip included a delegation of French business leaders and was scheduled ahead of a NATO summit in Turkiye, with Macron expected to travel to Ankara for the summit.
During the visit, Macron met Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa. According to the Oman Observer, the two leaders discussed making Damascus a transit hub for global trade and a long‑term regional hub. At a press conference in Damascus, France24 reported that Macron told Syria that "France stands by its side."
France24 also reported that a twin explosion occurred near Macron's hotel during the visit. The Hindustan Times noted that the visit lasted two days.
This account was written only from facts that survived Augur's
corroboration pass — 6 corroborated across opposed news blocs,
0 contested (attributed to both sides), 4
single-source (attributed). Nothing was added; no significance was inferred.
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