Macron asks al-Sharaa to protect all Syrians

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday told visiting Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to protect all people in the multi-confessional country as the former rebel chief confirmed indirect talks with Israel to calm tensions, France 24 reported.

Macron has been criticized for hosting a figure seen by some as a jihadist-turned-politician on his first official visit to a European country, according to France 24.

But the French president insisted engagement was essential and offered hope of a gradual easing of the Assad-era sanctions against Damascus.

Macron said he had told Sharaa in talks that he "must do everything to assure the protection of all Syrians without exception" after "unacceptable" killings that affected the Alawite and Druze minorities in recent months.

He said that while Paris was "not giving lessons", the "crimes had profoundly shocked the friends of Syria".

The French president also told Sharaa he must "ensure that the perpetrators" of the recent violence be "prosecuted and tried", adding that the EU must "systematically sanction the perpetrators of these crimes".

Sectarian clashes in March, in which more than 1,700 people were killed, mostly among Assad's Alawite minority, sparked international condemnation and doubts over Syria's new path, France 24 reported.

More recent clashes involving Druze fighters and NGO reports of abuses have also raised doubts about the interim government's ability to control extremists.

Adding to the pressure, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on the country since Assad's overthrow, including one near the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday.

Macron said the strikes were not in Israel's interests. "As for bombings and incursions, I think it's bad practice. You don't ensure your country's security by violating the territorial integrity of your neighbours."

Sharaa said that Syria was holding "indirect talks" with Israel to calm tensions and "try to contain the situation so it does not reach the point where it escapes the control of both sides".

Macron meanwhile called for a continuation of "the gradual lifting of European economic sanctions" if the new Islamist authorities stabilise the country.

Sharaa said there was no justification for maintaining European sanctions on Syria.