The French foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a delegation of diplomats traveled to Damascus and met with an official from Syria’s transitional team. While no specific names were disclosed, the ministry emphasized that the meeting underscored France’s continued support for a peaceful political transition that represents all segments of Syrian society, in line with the ideals of the 2011 revolution.

“The delegation informed the Syrian official that France remains committed to the fight against Islamic State and other terrorist organizations, as well as addressing concerns over the Assad government’s chemical weapons stockpiles,” the ministry stated.

The diplomats also visited the French embassy, which has remained closed since 2012, to assess the conditions for reopening France’s diplomatic presence in Syria. The foreign ministry highlighted that any decision to restore full operations would depend on political and security developments in the country.

France remains cautious about engaging with rebel factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group designated as a terrorist organization by the EU. French officials reportedly aim to observe how HTS approaches Syria’s transition before considering steps such as altering the group's designation, lifting sanctions, or providing financial aid for reconstruction efforts.

The delegation also held talks with representatives of civil society to discuss medical and psychological support for detainees recently released from Syrian regime prisons. Meetings with various Syrian communities further focused on understanding local priorities and addressing humanitarian concerns. (ILKHA)