A significant development has taken place in international relations, as US President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This meeting marks the first presidential encounter between the two countries in 25 years and comes after Trump’s announcement to lift sanctions on Syria. The decision to lift sanctions was reportedly made after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who have both been strong advocates for the lifting of sanctions.
The meeting has boosted hopes among Syrians, with many taking to the streets in Damascus to celebrate the news. Trump’s move is seen as a bold step towards stabilizing the country and promoting peace. During their meeting, Trump urged al-Sharaa to sign onto the Abraham Accords, a normalization agreement between Israel and several Arab countries.
Al-Sharaa, who was named president of Syria in January, has a complex past, having previously been linked to al-Qaida. However, his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has since cut ties with the terrorist organization. The US had previously offered a $10 million reward for information about al-Sharaa’s whereabouts due to his affiliation with al-Qaida.
The lifting of sanctions is expected to have a positive impact on Syria’s economy, which has been severely affected by years of conflict and international pressure. The meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa signifies a new chapter in US-Syria relations and may pave the way for further diplomatic engagements.
