Macron to host Syrian president's first European visit

French President Emmanuel Macron will host Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday for the former Islamist rebel's first European visit, the French presidency told AFP.

Macron will "reiterate France's support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society", the presidency said Tuesday.

"This meeting is part of France's historic commitment to the Syrian people who aspire to peace and democracy," it added.

During the meeting, Macron will emphasise "his demands on the Syrian government, primarily the stabilisation of the region, including Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism," the presidency said.

Macron had first invited Syria's new interim leader to visit France in February after Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year.

In March, he repeated the invitation but made it conditional on the formation of an inclusive Syrian government representing "all components of civil society", describing his initial negotiations with the interim leaders as "positive".

'Shock and dismay'

Syria's new Islamist authorities have vowed inclusive rule in the multi-confessional, multi-ethnic country.

They have repeatedly pledged to protect all religious groups and include all of Syrian society in the transition, with many countries saying they will monitor the new authorities' conduct before fully lifting sanctions.

But sectarian clashes in March in which more than 1,700 people, mostly Alawites, were killed in coastal areas sparked widespread condemnation.

More recent clashes involving Druze fighters, as well as reports of abuses from NGOs, have also raised doubts about the interim government's ability to control extremists in its ranks.

Adding to pressure on the new Syrian government, Israel has also launched hundreds of strikes on Syria, including one near the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday.

Israel has repeatedly said its forces stand ready to protect the Druze minority and said the strike near the presidential palace was intended to send a "clear message" to Syria's new rulers.

But the interim government described the strike as a "dangerous escalation", while the United Nations on Saturday urged Israel to halt its attacks on Syria "at once".

The French far right criticised the upcoming talks.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused Macron of hosting talks with "a jihadist" who has been involved with the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda, adding such a meeting would be "provocative and irresponsible".

"Shock and dismay," Le Pen said on X.

"Once again, Emmanuel Macron is damaging France's image and discrediting its commitment, particularly among its allies, in the fight against Islamism."

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who met with the Syrian leader on a visit to Damascus in January, defended the talks.

"The safety of French people is at stake in Syria," Barrot told broadcaster RTL, adding it was important to fight terrorism and drug trafficking in the conflict-riven country as well as control migration.

Not engaging the leaders of Syria and Lebanon would amount to "rolling out the red carpet for Daesh," he said, referring to the Islamic State extremists.

French companies are meanwhile eyeing a role in Syria's reconstruction.

Last week, French logistics giant CMA CGM signed a 30-year contract to develop and operate the port of Latakia, at an event attended by Sharaa.