French visit to Damascus opens new channels for diplomacy
Recent developments, including a visit by French politicians and the possible replacement of the French ambassador in Lebanon by Emannuel Bonne, who participated in the Syrian-French negotiations, indicate a probable shift in the French position.
A French political delegation has visited Damascus in a trip that carries multiple implications.
Between UN envoy Staffan de Mistura's statements two weeks ago that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is part of the solution in Syria and de Mistura’s return to the Syrian capital on Feb. 26, four French parliamentarians and other Parisian officials traveled to Damascus via Beirut. This is the first time a French official has visited Syria since the French Embassy in Damascus was closed in 2012.
