French Foreign Minister arrives in Syria, German counterpart to follow

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met with Christian religious leaders in Damascus upon his arrival in the Syrian capital to hold talks with Syria's new leader.

He will be joined by his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, according to Berlin.

They will jointly hold talks on behalf of the European Union with new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

In a statement, Baerbock said Germany wanted to help Syria become a "safe home" for all its people, and a "functioning state, with full control over its territory".