LONDON: France has returned 23 Syrian archaeological artifacts that had been in Paris since before the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, handing them back during President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Damascus. The move has been welcomed as a sign of renewed ties and respect for Syria’s cultural heritage, but it has also reopened questions about why the objects were not returned years ago and whether they can be protected.

Le président français se rend en Syrie lundi et mardi, un an et demi après la chute du régime de Bachar el Assad.

The agreement is one of many signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to Damascus spanning several sectors