Syria – Jean-Noël Barrot’s meeting with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani (5 January 2026)

Minister Jean-Noël Barrot hosted a meeting in Paris today with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss deepening our bilateral relationship to support the stabilization of the new Syria, building on the Minister’s visit to Damascus in January 2025 and President Al-Sharaa’s visit to Paris in April 2025.

The Minister welcomed Syria’s decision to join the international coalition against Daesh. In this regard, he welcomed the operation against Daesh conducted jointly with the United Kingdom, in coordination with the Syrian transitional authorities, on 3 January 2026.

The Minister expressed France’s wholehearted support for the Syrian transitional authorities’ efforts to shed full light on the atrocities targeting civilians which occurred on the coast and in Sweida in March and July 2025. He voiced his support for a transition carried out with respect for all components of Syrian society.

The Minister also emphasized France’s wish to contribute to Syria’s economic recovery and development. He welcomed the lifting of US sanctions through the repeal of the Caesar Act, and signalled France’s willingness to support the return of French companies to Syria.

Finally, the two ministers stressed the importance of working to restore a stabilized, unified and sovereign Syria. In this regard, they spoke of the need to achieve security arrangements with Israel in southern Syria. They also discussed progress in the negotiations between the transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces, with a view to fully implementing the agreement of 10 March 2025.