Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, marking his first European visit since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Amidst international scrutiny over human rights and recent sectarian violence, which left over 1,700 dead, Macron aims to support the new Syrian authorities while demanding accountability for extremist activities linked to Sharaa’s past with Al-Qaeda. The meeting has drawn criticism from the French far right, highlighting concerns over Sharaa’s connections to jihadist groups, while Macron emphasizes the need for stability and respect for all Syrian communities.