President Donald Trump reportedly met with Syria’s newly appointed president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on the first day of his Middle East tour, announcing a significant shift in U.S. policy by lifting economic sanctions on the war-torn nation.
This meeting, which lasted 33 minutes, marks the first interaction between leaders of the two countries in 25 years and was accompanied by a series of investment agreements with Saudi Arabia.
In photos released after the meeting, Trump and Sharaa were seen shaking hands, with the latter also embracing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The White House stated that Trump encouraged Sharaa to normalize relations with Israel and to expel “all foreign terrorists” from Syria.
Additionally, he urged Sharaa to assist in the defeat of the Islamic State, including taking control of detention camps in northeastern Syria currently managed by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces.
During a summit with Arab leaders, Trump expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-Syria relations. “We are currently exploring normalizing relations with Syria’s new government,” he stated. “We will be dropping all of the sanctions on Syria, which I think really is going to be a good thing.”
Later, while traveling to Qatar on Air Force One, Trump praised Sharaa, describing him as a “young, attractive guy” with a “strong past” and a “real shot at holding it together.” In a televised address, Sharaa lauded Trump’s decision to lift sanctions as “courageous and historic.”
He remarked, “To the Syrian people: the road ahead remains long, but today marks the beginning of serious work—the beginning of Syria’s modern renaissance.”
After concluding discussions with Sharaa, Trump arrived in Doha for talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Qatar has played a crucial role in mediating various regional conflicts, including the release of hostages held by Hamas and efforts to conclude the U.S. war in Afghanistan.
During their meeting, Trump and the emir signed a defense agreement and a joint declaration.
They also announced several business ventures, including a notable commitment from Qatar Airways to purchase 160 Boeing aircraft, significantly expanding the airline’s fleet.
“Get those planes out there,” Trump urged, adding that he had discussed various geopolitical issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and trade relations with the emir.
Emphasizing the strengthened ties between the two nations, the Qatari leader remarked, “I think after signing these documents, we are going to another level of relationship between Qatar and the United States.”
This visit marks a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy in the region, as Trump seeks to reshape alliances and address the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
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