Berlin, 30 March 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected in Berlin on Monday for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which are set to focus on the return of Syrian refugees to their home country and reconstruction efforts after years of civil war.

"Our interest is in seeing Syria rebuilt as a stable and prosperous nation, including with the help of the many, many Syrians who came here to Germany and Europe during the civil war and found refuge here," German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said ahead of the visit.

Al-Sharaa is also due to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and business leaders during his stay.

The Syrian president postponed an earlier trip to Germany in January after a surge of violence in his country.

Al-Sharaa led the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in overthrowing Syria's long-time authoritarian ruler Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024 after almost 14 years of civil war.

Al-Sharaa was subsequently appointed interim president and has since been steering Syria towards a rapprochement with the West.

Photo: EPA