Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit Germany on Monday for discussions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to a government spokesperson in Berlin. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe chancellor will receive the president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the chancellery on Monday… for his inaugural visit,\u201d spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Friday, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing foreign media.<\/a><\/p>\n Al-Sharaa<\/a> led opposition forces to overthrow longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.<\/p>\n He has since made several overseas trips, including to the United States and France.<\/p>\n Al-Sharaa had initially been due to visit Germany in January, but the trip was postponed at a time of clashes between Syrian government troops and US-backed Kurdish fighters.<\/p>\n Al-Sharaa will also take part in an economic forum where \u201chigh-ranking business and government representatives\u201d will discuss \u201cprospects for economic recovery and the reconstruction of Syria,\u201d a foreign ministry spokesman said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe long conflict in Syria has had a devastating impact on the Syrian economy,\u201d the German spokesman said, noting \u201cwidespread poverty among the population and the high financial requirements for reconstruction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith the lifting of numerous EU, UN and other sanctions following the end of the Assad regime, the foundations for (economic recovery) have been laid,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n