Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara met President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday morning for his first official visit to Germany.
Mr Al Sharaa will also meet with Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the war in the Middle East, the return of Syrians to their homeland and Syria’s political situation and reconstruction.
On Monday he also met with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul for a roundtable meeting on the Syrian economy at the German Foreign ministry. He is also expected to join business forum exploring “prospects for economic recovery and the reconstruction of Syria”, according to a German foreign ministry spokesperson.
The leader of the transitional Syrian government met with members of the Syrian community upon his arrival to Germany on, where he spoke of the need for Syrians to be engaged in the rebuilding of their country.
Ahead of the visit, the German interior ministry announced a new initiative to provide support to Syria’s disaster management ministry and help train emergency services.
Crowds gathered to cheer Mr Al Shara outside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Potsdamer Platz where Mr Al Shara is staying, and a large demonstration in support of the leader was seen following his car in central Berlin.
Police said they were expecting thousands of people on the streets on Monday, with rallies registered in support of and in opposition to Mr Al Sharaa.