Damascus: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced on Tuesday an agreement with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to install ambassadors, with the French embassy in Damascus closed since 2012 during the country's bloody civil war. "I am pleased to announce today our agreement to begin the process of exchanging resident ambassadors between Damascus and Paris as soon as possible, signaling the return of diplomatic relations to their normal state," Sharaa said in a joint press conference with Macron in the Syrian capital.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, the decision marks a significant step towards restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries. The French embassy in Damascus has remained closed since 2012 due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, which saw many countries sever or suspend diplomatic ties. The re-establishment of ambassadors is expected to pave the way for increased dialogue and cooperation in various fields.

The announcement comes after months of negotiations and is seen as part of broader efforts to stabilize the region by engaging with international partners. Both leaders expressed optimism about the future of Syria-France relations and underscored the importance of diplomacy in addressing regional challenges.