Watch: Al-Sharaa Refrains from Shaking Hands with the Minister

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock broke her silence following the controversy surrounding her handshake with officials from the new Syrian administration in Damascus, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Baerbock stated that upon her arrival in Damascus, it was clear that her meeting with the new Syrian officials would not include the usual handshakes typical in such diplomatic encounters.

Her comments came after a video surfaced showing her, alongside her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, being received by Syrian leaders, where officials from the new administration refrained from shaking her hand. Even al-Sharaa, the head of the new administration, did not shake her hand.

Baerbock said, "It was clear to me that there wouldn't be a normal handshake here."

She continued, "I think it was also clear to my dialogue partners, as the French Foreign Minister also did not extend his hand."

The German official emphasized that she and her French counterpart made it clear to the new leaders that women's rights are not just an issue of women's rights, "but that women's rights are an indicator of the freedom of society."

Baerbock was seen wearing a bulletproof vest after her plane landed at Damascus International Airport. Footage also showed that her Syrian hosts did not shake her hand, only greeting her verbally and with smiles, while they shook hands with the other male members of the delegation.

The same incident occurred with al-Sharaa when he greeted Baerbock at the People's Palace in Damascus. He only waved to her with a smile while extending his hand to shake hands with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who was with her. However, the manner in which the French Foreign Minister shook hands with al-Shara also sparked controversy.

Watch the attached video for more.