Emmanuel Macron, President of France, arrived in Damascus on Monday, becoming the first major Western leader to visit Syria after the removal of Bashar Assad in 2024. In a message on the X social network, Macron wrote that he went to Damascus to express France’s commitment to the Syrian people: “For a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity, and at peace with its neighbors.” He added: “Let’s begin together a new chapter of stability and peace.” The Syrian state news agency SANA announced that Macron traveled to Syria with a business delegation to discuss regional security and investment opportunities. After meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, President of Syria, the French president is scheduled to travel to Ankara to take part in the NATO summit.