DAMASCUS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A French diplomatic and security delegation visited Damascus on Tuesday, sources told Xinhua, marking a significant step in thawing relations between Syria and France.

For the first time since 2012, the French national flag was hoisted at the French embassy in the Muhajirin area of the Syrian capital, signaling a major diplomatic development, the sources said.

The delegation met with officials of the Syrian transitional government, according to the sources.

Their visit follows the heels of a British delegation's arrival the previous night.

Neither the French Foreign Ministry nor the new Syrian authorities issued an immediate public statement on the visit.

Observers say the back-to-back visits by major European nations suggest a growing willingness of the international community to engage with Syria in the wake of the end of the former government. Enditem

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