**Germany and France Forge Ties with Syria’s New Government**
In a significant development, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Berbok, and French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, have visited Damascus, the capital of Syria, to meet with the country’s new government, led by Tahrir al-Sham. This high-level diplomatic visit marks one of the first such occurrences since President Bashar al-Assad’s fall last month. The visit is part of a series of meetings between rebel leaders and Western officials aimed at gradually opening up pipelines to Syria’s new authorities.
The meeting between Berbok, Barrot, and the leader of Tahrir al-Sham, Ahmed Sala, is seen as a significant step towards normalizing relations between the West and Syria. During the meeting, Berbok emphasized the need for a new beginning in Syria, stating, “We are traveling to Damascus today to offer support but also have clear expectations for the new rulers. A new beginning can only happen if all Syrians, regardless of their ethnicity and religion, have a place in the political process.”
Tahrir al-Sham, which is still blacklisted as a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations due to its past ties with Al Qaeda, has been working to project a moderate image since coming to power. The group’s leader, Ahmed Sala, has called on the international community to revoke the designation, seeking to appease minorities and focus on rebuilding Syria after years of civil war.
The visits come amid a realignment across the Middle East, where Syria has historically been a major power and has for decades been a symbol of a single dynasty’s iron-fisted rule, opposed by most Syrians. At least six foreign militaries have been involved in the country’s nearly 14-year civil war, including Iran, Russia, Türkiye, and the United States.
**FAQ**
Q: Who is Ahmed Sala, the leader of Tahrir al-Sham?
A: Ahmed Sala is the leader of Tahrir al-Sham, a conservative group that follows the principles of political Islam. The group broke away from Al Qaeda and the Islamic State years ago and even fought against them.
Q: Why is Tahrir al-Sham still blacklisted as a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations?
A: Tahrir al-Sham is still blacklisted due to its past ties with Al Qaeda.
Q: What are the plans of Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian government?
A: Tahrir al-Sham has laid out ambitious plans to establish a new government in Syria, including the formation of a caretaker government and a committee to draw up a new constitution for Syria.
Q: What is the significance of Germany and France’s diplomatic visit to Syria?
A: The visit marks one of the first high-level Western diplomatic visits to Syria since President Bashar al-Assad’s fall. It is seen as a significant step towards normalizing relations between the West and Syria.
**Conclusion**
The diplomatic visit by Germany and France to Syria’s new government marks a significant step towards normalizing relations between the West and Syria. The visit comes amid a realignment across the Middle East, where Syria has historically been a major power. The new government, led by Tahrir al-Sham, is working to project a moderate image and focus on rebuilding Syria after years of civil war. As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the country’s new government will navigate the complex political landscape in the region.
