Published On 7/7/2026
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Last update: 18:41 (Mecca time)
Today, Tuesday, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa condemned the two bombings that targeted Damascus, praising the “courage” of his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to continue his visit to Syria, while Macron accused “some groups” of seeking to obstruct Syria’s return to its natural position in the international community.
Al-Sharaa explained – in a press conference with Macron at the People’s Palace in Damascus – that investigations are currently underway regarding the two bombings, and that those who committed this “heinous crime” will be arrested as soon as possible.
The Syrian capital, Damascus, witnessed security tension after two explosions occurred near the headquarters of the Ministry of Tourism, in an area close to the residence of the French President.
The French President confirmed – during his participation in the press conference with Al-Sharaa – that his visit to Syria is continuing despite the bombing.
On the other hand, Al-Sharaa condemned the “Israeli attacks” on his country, calling for Israel’s withdrawal from the lands it occupied in southern Syria, indicating that he had discussed this issue with Macron, and that he was counting on a French role in this regard.
Regarding the situation in Lebanon, the Syrian President said that the safety and stability of Lebanon is the safety and stability of Syria, indicating that Damascus is looking for a comprehensive consensus among all Lebanese.
Al-Sharaa said that Macron’s visit to Damascus represents a historical milestone in bilateral relations, and carries important political and economic dimensions based on common interests, noting that the two countries agreed to exchange ambassadors.
Al-Sharaa announced that Syria had signed a declaration of intent with France to recover Syrian assets there. He said that Damascus opens its doors to an equal partnership between the two countries, and seeks to consolidate its position as an economic and civilizational bridge between the East and the West.
Earlier on Tuesday, Al-Sharaa expressed his aspiration for France to be his country’s “first partner,” which he said had regained its role as a “connecting node” in the global lanes market, after the disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
During an economic forum held with the French President at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Damascus, in the presence of representatives of the two countries, Al-Sharaa said, “After the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the world realized the value of safe and stable corridors here.”
He explained: “Here the importance of Syrian geography is highlighted, which today has regained its vital role as an indispensable link in the global corridors market, and we want France to be our first partner in this path.”
In the context of international relations, the Syrian President described the partnership that Damascus seeks to build with Paris as a model of the relationship that Syria aspires to with Europe and the world, saying that it is based on common interests that serve peoples, far from political slogans.
Macron: We are ready to participate
For his part, Macron said that “some groups” want to obstruct Syria’s return to its natural position in the international community, and condemned all forms of interference and violations of Syrian territory, stressing that Paris always defends stability in the region and the territorial integrity of countries.
The French President stressed that Paris has a common interest with Damascus in rebuilding infrastructure in the field of oil, trade and energy, expressing: His country’s readiness to contribute to the reconstruction efforts of Syria, starting with the formation of joint economic committees between the two sides to support development and investment projects.
Macron said that France will be a partner with Syria in a number of vital sectors, including energy and the banking sector, adding that there is a tendency to establish broader partnerships with the participation of Gulf countries to support reconstruction and enhance economic stability.
He stressed that France will return to Syria more than 50 million euros, “representing the illegal gain of a member of the family of the former tyrant (Bashar al-Assad).”
Macron expressed that he has “a lot of respect for the Syrian people who fought for their freedom,” stressing that “Syria deserves to be united, and its people with all its components must be respected,” citing France’s experience: “We built ourselves after World War II, and put our unity before everything else.”
Millions of dollars investments
The Syrian President called on major international companies and investors to participate in reconstruction and development projects in Syria.
Al-Sharaa said that Syria “decided to rise up and make room for everyone who wants to build with it,” and reviewed a number of ongoing investment projects, noting that the French “CMA-CGM” group signed a contract about 14 months ago to develop the port of Latakia with investments amounting to 230 million euros (about 262.88 million dollars), before it later announced an additional injection of 200 million euros (about 228.59 million dollars) to increase capacity. Port capacity.
A comprehensive road map for reconstruction
He also revealed what he described as an integrated road map for reconstruction and economic partnership, which includes modernizing the civil aviation fleet, operating airports, and developing air navigation systems, in addition to exploring energy resources in Syrian territorial waters, modernizing electricity and water networks, and developing university hospitals, food industries, digital infrastructure, and the civil registry.
Al-Sharaa indicated that the Syrian industrial cities are ready to receive new investments, stressing that the government is working to build a modern investment environment, based on laws and institutions, and providing the necessary guarantees to investors.
These statements come at a time when Damascus seeks to attract foreign investments and launch large-scale development projects after years of war, amid efforts to enhance economic cooperation with regional and international partners and advance reconstruction in various vital sectors.
Alternative paths
In this context, Total Energy CEO Patrick Pouyanné said that Syria could become an “important transit country” for oil coming from Iraq towards the Mediterranean Sea, and provide “alternative routes” to the Strait of Hormuz.
On the sidelines of Macron’s visit to Syria, Pouyanné told reporters, “It is clear that the security situation today does not yet allow work, but I see that coming here, to Damascus, is a beautiful initiative,” before announcing two explosions with two explosive devices near Macron’s residence in central Damascus.
Last May, Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with the American ConocoPhillips, the French Total Energy, and Qatar Energy, to explore oil and gas in Syrian territorial waters.
Pouyanné said that his company signed the memorandum of understanding, but it does not yet have any other specific project in the country, explaining that his visit with the French president aims to “meet the authorities and network with them.”
At the same time, he stressed that after 13 years of war, we must “give the government time to extend its control over this country,” adding, “We should not ask for too much, and we must show some patience.”
