From Damascus.. Germany says we will not fund "Islamic structures" and France demands the destruction of chemical weapons

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Friday in Damascus after meeting with Syrian administration leader Ahmad al-Sharaa that Europe would support a new Syria but "would not give money to new Islamist structures," while her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot called for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

Baerbock added that she made it clear to Sharaa during the meeting that Europe would not financially support what she described as Islamic structures in Syria, and urged against establishing an "Islamic government" following the overthrow of the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

"There are mixed signals so far," Reuters quoted Baerbock as saying in response to a question about lifting sanctions on Syria, noting that this would depend on progress in the political process.

She also stressed that lifting sanctions on Syria would depend on the progress of the political process, noting the importance of involving all sects in the reconstruction process.

She pointed out the need to provide reliable security guarantees to the Kurds, who control vast areas of northeastern Syria.

Chemical weapons destruction

The French Foreign Minister did not hold a press conference after the meeting, but in a speech during his meeting with representatives of civil society, which preceded his meeting with Sharaa, he called for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

He added that he would ask the new authorities to "request without delay the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons" to work on destroying the chemical weapons stockpile, announcing an initiative to send chemical weapons disarmament experts to Syria.

Barrow also called for finding a political solution with the Kurds so that they can be fully integrated into the political process. Barrow stressed the need to silence the weapons throughout the country to achieve a safe Syria without wars and fighting.

On the political transitional stage, Barou confirmed that Paris will propose to the new authorities French and European Union legal expertise to accompany the Syrians in drafting a new constitution.

Barou called on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to surrender their weapons and engage in political life, stressing France's rejection of terrorism in Syria. He stressed that reconciliation cannot be achieved in Syria without achieving justice, emphasizing France's commitment to combating impunity for symbols of the former regime.

Pointing to the imminent return of the French diplomatic mission to Syria as part of Paris' support for the Syrians' aspirations for a peaceful political transition.

This is the first visit by Western officials at this level to Damascus since the fall of Assad on December 8.

(Agencies)