RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: US President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Riyadh, a day after announcing plans to lift US sanctions on Syria and offering a new path for the country to regain international support.
According to the Washington Post, a White House official confirmed the meeting took place in Riyadh behind closed doors.
The two leaders held brief talks ahead of a larger gathering of Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia during Trump’s tour of the region, a White House official said.
Trump became the first US president in 25 years to meet a Syrian leader. No US president has met a Syrian leader since Bill Clinton saw Hafez Assad, Bashar al-Assad’s father, in Geneva in 2000.
On Tuesday, Trump announced that he was lifting “brutal and crippling” sanctions on Syria. The US President announced the sanctions relief on the request of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish outlet, Daily Sabah, reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was present at the meeting, while Turkish President Erdogan joined via video link.
Al-Sharaa expressed his gratitude to President Trump for the decision to lift US sanctions on Syria, describing the move as a turning point that will pave the way for rebuilding the country’s economy and restoring security.
The Syrian President also thanked the Saudi Crown Prince and Turkish President for their support in advocating for the sanctions’ removal and for their continued efforts to aid Syria’s recovery, according to Saudi Gazette.
The discussions focused on reaffirming Syria’s sovereignty, territorial unity, and the need to ensure long-term peace and prosperity for the Syrian people, the Saudi Gazette reported.
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The leaders also addressed broader regional developments and emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to resolve ongoing crises.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One before arriving in Doha, Trump spoke about his meeting with Al-Sharaa, who he described as a “young”,” attractive” and “tough guy”, Al Jazeera reported.
Trump also said the Syrian leader has a “strong past” as a “fighter”. “He’s got a real shot at pulling it together,” said Trump, adding that Turkiye’s President Erdogan feels the same, Al Jazeera reported.
Trump, on Tuesday, said it was the Syrians’ “time to shine” and that easing sanctions would “give them a chance at greatness,” Arab News reported.
The Syrian foreign ministry called Trump’s decision a “pivotal turning point” that would help bring stability.
The United States imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the civil war and made clear it would use sanctions to punish anyone involved in reconstruction so long as Assad remained in power without accountability.
Other Western powers, including the European Union, have already moved to lift sanctions, but the United States had earlier held firm on conditions.
At a meeting of leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday, Trump said that he urgently wants “to make a deal” with Iran to wind down its nuclear programme.
The US and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks since early last month, focused on Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump has repeatedly said he believes brokering a deal is possible, but that the window is closing.
