Cover image: French President Emmanuel Macron talks with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa during the EU Summit in Nicosia, Cyprus on April 24, 2026. © Petros Karadjias, AP

Syria expecting Macron visit in first for Western head-of-state since Assad

· France 24

Syria is expecting a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, the first by a Western European head of state since Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa took power in 2024. Macron would be accompanied by a delegation "including investors and representatives of French companies". FRANCE 24's Matthew-Mary Caruchet tells us what we know.