Syrian leader to meet Macron in first European visit

PARIS: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was on Wednesday set to meet French leader Emmanuel Macron on his first visit to Europe since overthrowing longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, despite alarm over deadly clashes that have shadowed the new authorities' first months in power.The visit comes with Sharaa and his fellow top officials, who have roots in the Al-Qaeda jihadist network, under pressure from Europe to show they are serious about protecting human rights as Damascus seeks the full lifting of Assad-era sanctions.Sectarian clashes in March, in which more than 1,700 people were killed, mostly among Assad's Alawite minority, sparked international condemnation and doubts over Syria's new path.By welcoming Sharaa, Macron hopes to help the authorities on the way to "a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society," a French presidential official, asking not to be named, told AFP.The official said France was aware of "the past" of certain Syrian leaders and was demanding that there be "no complacency" with "terrorist movements" operating in Syria."If we are inviting him (Sharaa) here, it is precisely to ask him to go further in the fight against impunity," foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot told broadcaster TF1.Sharaa headed the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which spearheaded Assad's downfall after 14 years of civil war. The group formerly had links to Al-Qaeda.Travel ban He is still subject to a UN travel ban and France most likely had to request an exemption from the United Nations, as was the case for his recent trips to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, according to a source familiar with the matter.EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said that exemptions can be granted in certain cases if UN officials determine "that the entry or transit is justified".Macron is due to welcome Sharaa to the Elysee Palace at 1515 GMT followed by a joint news conference.France, a former colonial-era ruler of Syria, is eyeing an opportunity to increase its influence in the country after years of Russian presence, with French companies also seeking contracts.Last week, French logistics giant CMA CGM signed a 30-year contract to develop and operate the port of Latakia.Mehad, a French NGO which has operated in Syria since 2011, warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the country and called for "a strong response" from France."Emmanuel Macron's strong commitment must now be translated into action, not only by maintaining the budget allocated to humanitarian aid in Syria, but also by disbursing it quickly," said Mehad director Mego Terzian."Otherwise we are heading for a humanitarian and health disaster in the country." 'Serious error' Syria's new Islamist authorities have vowed inclusive rule in the multi-confessional, multi-ethnic country.But as well as the sectarian clashes in March, more recent clashes involving fighters from the Druze community and reports of abuses from NGOs have also raised doubts about the interim government's ability to control extremists in its ranks.Adding to pressure on the new Syrian government, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on the country since Assad's overthrow, including one near the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday.The invitation for Sharaa has caused controversy in France, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen accusing Macron of hosting talks with "a jihadist" in a "provocative and irresponsible" meeting.On the traditional right, the head of the right-wing Republicans in parliament, Laurent Wauquiez, denounced the meeting as "a serious error.""We don't welcome leaders who are former terrorists and members of organisations that want to attack France," he said.But Xavier Bertrand, from the same party and head of the northern Hauts-de-France region, countered that "those who criticise Emmanuel Macron have understood nothing about the role of head of state."Barrot, who met with the Syrian leader in Damascus in January, defended the talks and said that Paris was engaging in a "demanding" dialogue with Damascus."If Syria were to collapse today, if it were to break up, this would roll out the red carpet for Daesh," Barrot told TF1, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State jihadists.