President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s visit to France can be considered a historic development for the new Syria. This was the first visit by a Syrian president to a Western country in nearly 20 years. Syria was ravaged by a tyranny that lasted for more than half a century, during which the country was deprived of proper communication with the rest of the world. Today, the Syrian president is visiting Paris at the official invitation.
This is the first European capital Al-Sharaa has been able to reach. He carries a past that everyone knows, one he is trying to erase and replace with a different kind of present. This visit may be his gateway to this new history. Therefore, I don’t believe the short video clip showing Al-Sharaa and his Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani playing basketball in one of the halls of the presidential palace, displaying “spontaneous” joy at scoring goals, as spread by the team of the new Syrian President was a coincidence.
Sharaa witnessed the behaviour of the fugitive regime and its shameful method of governance, which led Syria to its lowest ebb. He also knows that communication with the West is a necessary gateway to Syria’s advancement, given its location and capabilities. He has conveyed many messages in this regard in his speeches delivered on numerous occasions, as well as through his behaviour in which he attempts to demonstrate this rapprochement.
From the very first moment, before he entered Damascus, the prisons were opened and all prisoners were released, most of whom had been detained for political reasons. He also combated the narcotic industry, which we discovered was far more extensive than we had imagined. The factories located in the residential annexes of the regime’s leaders and officials, as well as in farms near the capital, were seized. These factories were all managed by the notorious Fourth Division. He then immediately halted all cooperation or contact with Iran and its affiliates. Iran has tried to get closer to Al-Sharaa through intermediaries, but found the path blocked and impenetrable.
Macron’s face was beaming. He welcomed his guest, describing him as a suitable leader, and reiterated the same demands made by the US administration. He concluded his remarks by looking Al-Sharaa in the eyes, saying: “I’m counting on you!” This was an important Western gateway through which Sharaa passed. Further steps can be built upon this footstep, particularly since Al-Sharaa was promised that there we will work to lift sanctions on Syria. Some of these have already been revoked. This has enabled Qatar to cover the salaries of civil servants in government sectors. This is a vital lifeline which gives the state a momentum and re-oils the market’s dynamics after years of rust.
Al-Sharaa knows his mission is difficult, and his biggest challenge is establishing security, which must be achieved before the economy can truly recover. Tension levels must be reduced in all areas. Although Al-Sharaa has succeeded in reaching the heart of the European Union, via one of its most important capitals, he faces a no less severe challenge internally.
There are still active groups which are not suited to an atmosphere of stability. Nearby is Israel, which Al-Sharaa has admitted he is indirectly negotiating with, trying to secure its side for the time being. It is a dangerous side that cannot be ignored. Al-Sharaa is trying the tool of dialogue with it to keep it away from the internal scene and so that he can devote himself to restoring complete calm on the streets before rebuilding the country.
[by Fatima Yasin in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed]
Compiled and translated by Faizul Haque
