US EditionSyrian Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Declines Handshake with Germany's Female Foreign Minister During European Delegation Visit
- Syrian Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa declined to shake hands with Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her visit, opting instead for a gesture of placing his hand on his chest. This incident sparked criticism and confusion, particularly in the German media.
- Al-Sharaa's refusal highlights ongoing tensions in his ideological transformation from a jihadist militant to a political figure, as he navigates between his past and current roles in Syria's political landscape.
- Germany and France are offering technical assistance to Syria for drafting a new constitution, emphasizing the need for inclusion of diverse groups, including women and Kurds, in the country's transition.
- The visit marked the first by European ministers since rebels took control of Damascus, reflecting cautious engagement with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, which Al-Sharaa leads.
79 Articles
79 Articles
Handshake Diplomacy? What The West Can Do For Syria’s Imperfect Transition
Analysis-PARIS– For nearly a month, the Syrian transition has presented the West with a dilemma. Should they keep their distance from the country’s new rulers because they don’t meet Western expectations? Or should they actively support them for the sake of stability in an increasingly volatile region?The question was on full display last Friday with the visit to Damascus by French and German foreign ministers, Jean-Noël Barrot and Annelena Baer…
The new Syrian leader abstained from shaking hands with the head of German diplomacy on Friday in Damascus. For Jean-Noël Barrot “that was not the purpose of this trip”.
Why Ahmad al-Sharaa Refuses to Shake Hands with Women - The Syrian Observer
Ahmad al-Sharaa, once known as Al-Fateh and later Al-Jolani, sparked a heated debate after refusing to shake hands with Germany’s Foreign Minister during her recent visit to Damascus. While this act drew criticism and confusion, especially in the German media, it reflects a personal and ideological choice rooted in his complex history. To understand Sharaa’s behavior, it is essential to delve into his journey from a jihadist militant to a promin…
Al-Monitor
The Local - FrFrench top diplomat 'would have preferred' if Syrian leader shook German counterpart's hand
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Sunday said he would have preferred if Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa had shaken the hand of his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on their visit to Syria last week, but insisted that this was not the point of their trip.Barrot and Baerbock on Friday became the most senior Western figures to visit the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last month.
Annalena Baerbock tried to downplay the excitement surrounding the refused handshake. Now the debate is getting a new impetus.
On behalf of the EU, Foreign Minister Baerbock is negotiating with the new Syrian leadership about a new start in political relations. Women's rights are also an indicator of this. But her visit reveals that the Islamist leadership has some catching up to do, as Baerbock is experiencing first hand.
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