Macron warmly received Syria’s new “former” ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorist leader Jolani in Paris

Published May 11, 2025 | By NewsJive.com

Macron received Syria former ISIS al-Qaeda terrorist leader Jolani Paris
Macron and Jolani in Paris 2025. On the left Jolani with an al-Qaeda flag back in 2015. (X/Montage)

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Ahmed al-Sharaa — better known by his former name he used as a radical jihadist before he rebranded himself, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani — to the Élysée Palace in a move that has drawn international scrutiny.

Jolani, a “former” terrorist leader affiliated with both ISIS (Daesh) and al-Qaeda through his leadership of Jabhat al-Nusra and later Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), visited France as Syria’s interim leader following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The visit marks Jolani’s first official appearance in Europe, made possible by a special exemption from the United Nations, despite ongoing sanctions tied to his previous ties with designated terrorist organizations.

Images released after the meeting show a surprisingly cordial atmosphere. Macron and Jolani appeared relaxed, smiling and engaging in what observers described as a “warm” and “friendly” conversation — a tone that has fueled controversy both within France and abroad.

The Élysée has framed the visit as part of France’s diplomatic strategy to support stabilization and “democratic” transition in post-Assad Syria. However, critics argue that such engagement risks legitimizing a man with a well-documented past in jihadist violence and leadership of groups responsible for civilian massacres, kidnappings, and extremist rule.

The invitation to Jolani sparked controversy in France, with “far-right” leader Marine Le Pen accusing Macron of hosting talks with “a jihadist” in a “provocative and irresponsible” meeting.

On the traditional right, Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the right-wing Republicans in parliament, denounced the meeting as “a serious mistake,” France24 reports.

“We don’t welcome leaders who are former terrorists and members of organizations that seek to attack France,” he stated.

However, Macron strongly defended the invitation, by stating, “He [Jolani] has put an end to a regime that we condemned and fought against, and he is ready to make commitments. The initial actions have already yielded results,” Macron said according to France24.

On social media, critical voices have been raised by several well-known figures, highlighting the true nature of the new regime in Syria. They argue that it is merely masking itself as a chameleon through rebranding, while in reality, it consists of the same people who, not long ago, committed mass murder through beheadings and other brutal actions against civilians.

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