Macron visits Syria in first major western leader trip under new leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Syria on Monday, becoming the first major western leader to visit the country since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

He is expected to travel to Ankara for the Nato summit, where Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is also expected to attend and hold a high-profile meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Syria's state-run Sana news agency said Macron would visit with a business delegation to discuss regional security and business and investment opportunities.

"I have come to express France's commitment to the Syrian people. For a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbors," Macron said in a post on X.

"Together, let us open a new chapter of stability and peace," he added.