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Syrian president cancels Germany visit, Merz meeting

By Thomson Reuters Jan 18, 2026 | 12:55 PM

BERLIN, Jan 18 (Reuters) – Syria’s President Ahmed ‍al-Sharaa has cancelled his visit to Berlin on Monday and ‌Tuesday, a ‌German government spokesperson told Reuters.

Al-Sharaa had been scheduled to meet ​with German Chancellor Friedrich ‍Merz ​and President ​Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Talks ‍with German business leaders were also planned.

A ceasefire was agreed ‍on Sunday after days of fierce ‍clashes ‍between Syrian ​government troops ​and ⁠U.S.-backed Kurdish ‌fighters.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Alexander ⁠Smith)