Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday meets France's Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first visit to Europe since taking power after the fall of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad.

The visit comes with Syria's new authorities, who have roots in the Al-Qaeda jihadist network, under increasing pressure from Europe to show their seriousness on protecting human rights as Damascus seeks the full lifting of Assad-era sanctions.

"This meeting is part of France's historic commitment to the Syrian people who aspire to peace and democracy," the Elysee Palace said on Tuesday.

Macron will "reiterate France's support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society," the presidency said.

Macron will also emphasise "his demands on the Syrian government, primarily the stabilisation of the region, including Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism," it said.

Sharaa was the head of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which spearheaded Assad's overthrow after 14 years of........

© Al Monitor