Trump meets Syria’s interim president al-Sharaa : NPR

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Trump held a meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, engaging in a half-hour discussion on the sidelines of his visit to Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was an addition to Trump’s schedule as he announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Syria, a decision praised by Syria’s foreign minister as a crucial step towards rebuilding the country after years of civil war and international isolation.

“The sanctions were severely crippling,” stated Trump during his address to the Gulf Cooperation Council, emphasizing that lifting the sanctions would provide Syria with an opportunity for progress.

Trump also mentioned that he was honored to lift the sanctions, revealing that the Saudi Crown Prince and Turkish President had requested the removal of sanctions.

Trump urged Sharaa to normalize relations with Israel by signing the Abraham Accords and advised him to combat terrorism, as reported by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on social media. Reporters accompanying Trump were not granted access to the meeting room where the discussion took place.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. had imposed multiple sanctions on Syria, primarily targeting the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who assumed power following his father’s death, Hafez al-Assad, a long-time ruler of Syria.

Despite Assad’s departure from Syria in December following a swift campaign led by Sharaa and rebel fighters, the sanctions persisted. Sharaa, previously on the U.S. list of designated terrorists due to his links with extremist groups, swiftly removed that designation by pledging to create an inclusive society safeguarding all of Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.

However, concerns surrounding Sharaa’s past actions led to the continuation of sanctions. Tensions between factions loyal to Sharaa’s government and ethnic minorities raised apprehensions regarding his governance approach.

Despite these challenges, Sharaa demonstrated adept diplomacy by garnering support for the removal of sanctions and the reconstruction efforts in Syria. Recently, he visited Paris to meet with President Emmanuel Macron, who also advocated for easing sanctions.

Sharaa and his associates hinted at potential ties with Israel, as the country conducted airstrikes within Syria to prevent weapon proliferation and protect the Druze minority residing along the border. Israel’s strategic moves along the border and in the Golan Heights were aimed at safeguarding its territory.

During his speech at the Saudi investment forum, Trump received applause upon announcing the decision to lift sanctions, which would open avenues for international investment in Syria. The move was crucial in preventing Syria from seeking financial aid from Russia, a key ally of the former regime.

With Gulf states eager to invest in Syria’s rich mineral and oil resources, the lifting of U.S. restrictions signified a significant shift in the region’s economic landscape.