Trump, Syria’s Al-Sharaa hold meeting in White House
Visit marks Syria’s entry into US-led anti-Daesh coalition, signaling a major diplomatic shift after decades of isolation
WASHINGTON (MNTV) — US President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa to the White House for a historic meeting, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader since the country’s independence in 1946 and signaling a dramatic reset in bilateral ties.
Al-Sharaa’s unannounced visit followed months of quiet diplomatic engagement and resulted in Syria formally joining the US-led global coalition against Daesh, becoming its 90th member. The move comes less than a year after Al-Sharaa led forces that toppled former president Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.
The meeting, which lasted about two hours, was held behind closed doors. Trump later described the talks as “very productive,” saying he had confidence in Al-Sharaa’s ability to “make Syria successful and stable.” The U.S. president also confirmed plans for further meetings with the Syrian leader to expand cooperation in counterterrorism and economic reconstruction.
In a televised interview with Fox News, Al-Sharaa said the talks focused on investment opportunities in Syria, emphasizing the potential for American companies in sectors such as energy and gas extraction. “Syria should no longer be seen as a security threat but as a geopolitical ally and investment hub,” Al-Sharaa said.
A senior U.S. official said Washington would allow Syria to reopen its embassy in the capital to facilitate coordination on security, reconstruction, and counterterrorism. The official added that the U.S. was prepared to provide technical and financial support to stabilize areas liberated from Daesh control.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry described the discussions as “friendly and constructive,” confirming that Trump pledged support for “the success of Syria’s reconstruction and development process.”
On the sidelines of the summit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to revive an agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The deal, signed in March, aims to integrate the SDF into the new Syrian army but has faced repeated delays due to political disputes.
The American side also reportedly expressed support for a potential Syria-Israel security agreement, though Damascus did not immediately indicate its stance on the matter.
Al-Sharaa’s visit followed a unanimous UN Security Council decision to lift long-standing sanctions on Syrian officials, a step the US described as recognition of Syria’s transition to “a new political era.”
However, the future of US sanctions remains a contentious issue. While Trump’s administration extended the temporary waiver of the Caesar Act for another 180 days, Al-Sharaa is seeking a permanent repeal to attract foreign investment.
Proposals to end the sanctions are under debate in Congress. Senator Jeanne Shaheen has proposed a full repeal without conditions, while Senator Lindsey Graham has suggested a conditional repeal reviewed every six months.
The meeting marks a significant diplomatic turning point in US-Syria relations, long strained by conflict and sanctions. Analysts say it underscores Washington’s strategic recalibration in the Middle East as the region enters a post-Assad era.
However, for analysts, Al-Sharaa’s political inclinations towards U.S. and liberal economic order indicate a working relationship towards neighboring Israel which is experiencing mounting pressure for its ongoing genocide of Palestinians.
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