Macron after meeting Sharaa: Lifting Syria sanctions 'in everyone's interest'
French President Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in hopes of gaining regional influence.
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron received Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday at the Elysee Palace, where he vowed that Paris will continue to push for the lifting of European sanctions so long as the Damascus-based government continues to make meaningful reforms.
‘’If you continue on that route, we will continue on ours," said Macron, stressing that if Sharaa continues positive measures France will try to push the United States to follow the European Union in lifting Assad-era sanctions on Syria.
"It is in everyone's interest, including the interest of the Americans, to go along with the process of lifting sanctions," said Macron, explaining that doing so would allow millions of Syrian refugees to return home.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is in Paris with Sharaa. Earlier on Wednesday, the two met with Syrian whistleblower Farid al-Madhan, known as Caesar, the official SANA news agency reported. Madhan is famous for publishing photos depicting torture in Syrian prisons during the reign of Assad.
