Syria’s President Met Trump At The White House, Marking The First Visit By A Syrian Leader Since 1946
Trump told reporters after the meeting that he “has confidence” in Sharaa and vowed to do everything “to make Syria successful.”
Syria's president Ahmed al-Sharaa met with US President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader to the White House since Syria's independence in 1946.
During the historic meeting between Trump and Sharaa on Monday, Nov. 10, Trump welcomed Syria into a US-led global coalition to fight the Islamic State group (IS), with Sharaa formally committing to join as the coalition's 90th member.
However, Sharaa said that Syria will not join the Abraham Accords, which normalize ties with Israel, due to Israel's ongoing occupation of Syria’s Golan Heights and other border concerns.
He added that before any normalization with Israel, a security agreement between Syria and Israel under US mediation would be necessary to resolve territorial and security disputes.
Sharaa said his talk with Trump included future investment opportunities in Syria, adding that Syria should no longer be seen as a security threat but as a geopolitical ally suitable for US investments, particularly in gas extraction.
Sharaa used the visit to press Trump for fully lifting of US sanctions on Syria, especially the Caesar Sanctions, which was imposed against the Assad regime for committing war crimes against the Syrian people and sanctions anyone providing significant support to the Syrian regime or engaging in economic activities that help fund it, including trade, reconstruction and military supplies.
Trump announced that he will suspend sanctions on Syria for 180 days, though congressional approval is still required to permanently repeal the act.
The US also agreed to allow Syria to resume operations at its embassy in Washington to better coordinate on counterterrorism, security, and economic issues.
Trump told reporters after the meeting that he “has confidence” in Sharaa and vowed to do everything “to make Syria successful.”
Cherry Mohamed
