Reuters. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday (May 7) he would pursue the progressive lifting of European Union sanctions against Syria if Syria stuck to its current path, and added he would lobby the United States to also follow suit.
He also said he was trying to convince the United States to delay withdrawing its troops from Syria.
Macron's comments came during a press conference as he hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Paris for his first trip to Europe since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.
Sharaa said during the press conference that his country had had indirect talks with Israel to bring down tensions as Israeli strikes continued to target Syria.
Reuters reported the United Arab Emirates has set up a backchannel for talks between Israel and Syria, as Syria's new rulers seek regional help to manage an increasingly hostile relationship with their southern neighbour.
Sharaa said the negotiations with Israel were being conducted through mediators, without naming them.
