German and French Foreign Ministers to Visit Syria Meet with Transitional Government Ministers

The foreign ministers of Germany and France, who lead the European Union, met with the leaders of the transitional government in Syria today (3rd) in Damascus, the capital.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barro met together with the head of the Islamic militant group HTS, who are in charge of the transitional government, Ahmed al-Shara, at the presidential palace in Damascus.

While the conversation has not yet been made public, it is believed that Baerbock and Baro have expressed their willingness to build relations and called for a peaceful transfer of power.

It is the first time that the head of foreign affairs of EU member states has visited Syria since HTS-led rebels ousted the Assad regime on the 8th of last month and declared victory in the civil war.

The two ministers also visited Sednaya prison, where torture and harshness were inflicted under Assad's regime.

Earlier, in a statement, Baerbock said the visit was "a clear signal between Europe and Syria and Germany and Syria that a new political start is possible."

He also urged the government to avoid retaliation, delays in elections and attempts to Islamize the judicial and education system, which is interpreted as a result of the recent announcement of a curriculum revision that reflects Islamic doctrine.

Minister Baro meets with reporters in Damascus. He said he hoped Syria would be sovereign, stable and peaceful, and he hoped all Syrians' aspirations would be realized.