ADVERTISEMENT Syria interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Wednesday evening, in his first official visit to Europe since taking office following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. For al-Sharaa, the visit also offered an opportunity to present a more moderate image to sceptical European countries. Speaking at a joint press conference, Macron struck a cautious balance between support and firm expectations. “It