BERLIN: Syria’s President Ahmed Al-Sharaa is visiting Germany on Monday for talks on the Middle East war, rebuilding his country and Berlin’s efforts to send back Syrian refugees.
Sharaa, on his first trip to Germany since ousting Syria’s longtime leader Bashar Assad in late 2024, is expected to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The former Islamist rebel leader has managed to build relations with Western governments and made several overseas trips, including to the United States, France and Russia.
As a result, many international sanctions on Syria have been lifted to help the country rebuild after its bloody 14-year civil war.
German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Merz and Sharaa would discuss the Middle East war, Syria’s political situation and reconstruction efforts, and the return of Syrians to their homeland.
