For the first time since the Arab country gained independence in 1946, Syrian ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived Monday evening at the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The visit marks a high point in the dialogue between Damascus and Washington. On the agenda were several issues, including the joint fight against the Islamic State terrorist organization, the lifting of sanctions on Syria, international assistance for reconstruction after the civil war, and naturally, relations with Israel.
Trump responded to questions about a possible agreement between Syria and Israel. "You can expect statements from Syria. We want to see Syria become a country that's very successful, and we think this leader can do it. He gets along very well with Turkey, with President Erdogan. We're working also with Israel on getting along with Syria."
Speaking about al-Sharaa, Trump said, "He's a strong leader, comes from a tough place, a tough man. I get along with him. We'll do everything we can to make Syria successful because it's part of the Middle East. We have peace in the Middle East for the first time ever. Syria is a big and important part of the Middle East. For years, they've had very talented people, and we want Syria to succeed together with the rest of the Middle East. I have great confidence he can do the job."
Photos released by the Syrian presidential office showed al-Sharaa and his foreign minister, Asad al-Shibani, in the Oval Office with Trump and senior US administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and US envoy Tom Barrack.
The Syrian news agency reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also present at the meeting. According to the report, the discussion focused on ways to strengthen and develop relations between the two countries, "in addition to several regional and international issues of mutual interest."
The historic meeting followed unusual reports of failed assassination attempts on al-Sharaa by the Islamic State. A senior Syrian security official and a senior Middle Eastern source told Reuters that the plans to kill al-Sharaa had been thwarted in recent months. In fact, a Turkish newspaper had already reported over the summer that an assassination attempt on him was foiled in the Daraa province in southern Syria.
