French Official: France-Syria Relations Will Benefit Syrian People

Romaric Rounian, director of the Middle East department at the French Foreign Ministry, stated on Tuesday that the relationship between Syria and France will serve the Syrian people. He noted that French President Emmanuel Macron visited Syria accompanied by delegations representing economic sectors and cultural figures.

Rounian told the Syrian News Channel that Presidents Ahmed Al-Shar and Emmanuel Macron will discuss the regional situation and current conditions.

Regarding the internal and regional situation, the French official commented that "the path is long and difficult, and the Syrian people are capable of rebuilding and making Syria better." He added that "Syria has succeeded in extending its hand to neighboring countries in ways that contribute to regional stability."

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shar received French President Emmanuel Macron at the People's Palace on Tuesday. It is expected that Al-Shar and Macron will sign several agreements related to institutional reform and the reconstruction of the war-torn country.

Macron is the first leader of a major Western country to visit Syria since the removal of former President Bashar Al-Assad's government in December 2024. He was also the first Western president to welcome Al-Shar in Paris after he assumed power.

Macron began his Tuesday meetings with a session involving representatives of civil society, followed by official talks with Al-Shar at the presidential palace.

Explosions occurred in Damascus on Tuesday after a group of explosive devices detonated near the Four Seasons Hotel, where President Emmanuel Macron was staying.

The Élysée Palace later issued an urgent statement confirming that the French president "did not hear any explosions" while heading to meet his Syrian counterpart. The statement also affirmed that Macron's visit schedule in Syria would not be altered following the two explosions near the hotel.