Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa affirmed Syria’s keenness on Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty, stressing that Damascus views this file as an essential part of regional stability, in a position that emerged during the press conference he held with French President Emmanuel Macron in Damascus, in a visit described as historic, being the first by a French president to Syria in 18 years.
Regarding the position related to the Lebanese file, Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria is keen on Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty, a sign that carries special importance in light of the sensitivity of the relations between the two countries, and the geographical, political and security overlap between the Lebanese and Syrian arenas, and the necessity that this imposes to control the borders, protect stability, and prevent any tensions from being reflected on the Lebanese and Syrian parties.
Al-Sharaa also stressed that Syria’s position is consistent in that true stability requires an international commitment to oblige Israel to return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, condemning the Israeli attacks on Syria, and relying on a French role in stopping them.
These positions come at a time when Syrian stability is inseparable from the Lebanese reality, especially since Lebanon is directly affected by any security or political development in Syria, whether at the border level, the displaced persons file, trade movement, or regional balances. Hence, Al-Sharaa’s words about Lebanon appeared to be a clear political message to the Lebanese interior and the international community, that Damascus places Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty among the priorities of the next stage.
In the political and diplomatic dimension, Al-Sharaa announced the agreement to exchange ambassadors between Damascus and Paris, considering that Macron’s visit constitutes a historical milestone and culminates a path of calm and deep joint work between the two countries.
He pointed out that Syria continues to move positively in completing the path of national integration, pointing out that the tour he took with Macron in Old Damascus reflected an interest in highlighting the Syrian civilizational and cultural heritage, from its mosques, churches and khans, all the way to the Umayyad Mosque, with the historical and cultural symbolism it carries.
Regarding the economic file, Al-Sharaa confirmed that Syria is entering a new phase of economic openness, calling on investors and industry leaders around the world to participate in reconstruction and building a new economic future for the country.
He said that Syria opens its doors to an equal partnership through its location between East and West, pointing out that the country has a strategic location linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf and Iraq, and that the importance of this location is increasing in light of the world’s need for safe and stable trade corridors, thus enhancing Syria’s role as a major hub in the movement of regional and international transport and trade.
Al-Sharaa pointed out that infrastructure development represents a priority in the next phase, explaining that the proposed projects include modernizing ports and airports, renewing the aviation fleet, developing air navigation systems, in addition to exploring energy sources, modernizing electricity and water networks, and supporting the health and food industries sectors and digital transformation.
He stressed that the Syrian industrial cities are ready to receive investments, stressing that work is underway to provide a modern economic environment based on laws and institutions and encourages long-term partnerships.
Al-Sharaa considered that the strategic partnership with France represents a model of the economic relations that Syria seeks to develop with Europe and the world, on the basis of common interests and projects that contribute to supporting development and reconstruction.
He revealed that the discussions with the French side resulted in a strategic package of agreements and contracts with major French companies, stressing that what is being established today is a partnership based on concrete projects that serve the Syrian and French peoples.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his affection for returning to Syria and being in Damascus, stressing that France praises the entire Syrian people, and that it steadfastly accompanied the Syrians in confronting the former regime and armed groups.
Macron indicated that his visit to Damascus carries a political and symbolic dimension, at a stage in which Syria seeks to open a new page with Europe and the world, and rebuild its foreign relations on the basis of stability, cooperation and reconstruction.
The French visit to Damascus is of exceptional importance because it comes after many years of political estrangement between Syria and a number of Western capitals, and after major transformations that the country has witnessed since the end of 2024. The visit also reflects a French desire to be present within the reconstruction process, and to keep pace with the new Syrian phase, whether through diplomatic relations or through companies and investments.
As for Lebanon, any economic and political openness to Syria will directly reflect on its reality, especially since the common borders, crossings, transit movement, the issue of the displaced, and trade exchange are all files that make Beirut concerned with the path of Syrian stability. Therefore, Al-Sharaa’s affirmation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability constitutes a message of political reassurance at a delicate regional moment.
Between the message to Lebanon, the position on the Israeli attacks, and the openness to France, the Sharaa-Macron conference appeared to be an attempt to outline the features of a new Syrian phase based on stabilizing stability, restoring diplomatic relations, attracting investments, and linking reconstruction to Syria’s geographical location and its regional role.
