French minister voices disappointment over Syrian handshake dispute, yet focus remains on security
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed on January 5 that he would have preferred Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to have shaken the hand of his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, during their visit to Syria last week.
However, he maintained that the handshake was not the primary focus of their trip, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.
Barrot and Baerbock became the most senior Western officials to visit Damascus since Islamist-led forces ousted long-time President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The visit was overshadowed by the Syrian leader’s refusal to shake Baerbock’s hand, despite offering the gesture to Barrot, which appeared to be a pointed slight, given Baerbock’s gender. Barrot acknowledged the situation, saying: “Would I have preferred Ahmed al-Sharaa to shake hands with my German colleague? The answer is yes. Was that the purpose of this trip? The answer is no”.
The French Foreign Minister emphasized the critical nature of their discussions, which focused on issues such as the detention of Islamic State (IS) fighters in Syria and the potential risks posed by the Assad regime’s chemical weapons.
Barrot questioned, "If I do not go to Syria, who will protect the French against these threats, against their security?"
He stressed that the aim of their visit was to engage with the transitional government to deliver clear and firm expectations regarding political reform, with the goal of supporting Syria’s recovery.
Barrot also warned against foreign interference, particularly from Russia and Iran, which have long backed Assad’s regime.
He stated: “Syria will obviously need help, but it is essential that no foreign power comes, as Russia and Iran have done for too long, under the pretext of supporting the authorities or Syria... to weaken it further.” He added, “The future of Syria belongs to the Syrians.”
Meanwhile, Syria’s interim foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, and other ministers from the country’s transitional government arrived in Qatar on Sunday for their first visit to the Gulf nation since Assad’s ousting.
Qatar became the second country, after Türkiye, to officially reopen its embassy in Damascus following the regime change on December 8.
By Aghakazim Guliyev