US President Donald Trump met Wednesday with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first such meeting between the leaders of the two countries in 25 years.
Interestingly, the United States had put a $10m reward for the arrest of Ahmed al-Sharaa, which was dropped in December last year after al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The meeting, occurring alongside Trump's discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders, represents a significant shift for Syria as it adapts to life after the Assad family's five-decade authoritarian rule.
This encounter is particularly noteworthy considering al-Sharaa's background—formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani—who has al-Qaida connections and previously fought against American forces in Iraq before becoming involved in the Syrian conflict.
Yesterday, Trump revealed the meeting would take place and announced plans to remove economic sanctions on Syria. Even before its devastating civil war beginning in 2011, Syria struggled under rigid socialist economic policies and U.S. sanctions imposed in 1979 for state-sponsored terrorism.
The closed-door meeting excluded reporters, and the White House did not immediately provide details about other attendees or the content of discussions.
Trump expressed his intention to offer Syria "a chance at peace" under al-Sharaa, who became Syria's interim president in January following a surprising offensive by insurgent groups led by his organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This military action captured Damascus in December, ending the Assad family's 54-year control.
The United States has been deliberating its approach toward al-Sharaa since his December rise to power.
Many Gulf Arab leaders have shown support for the new Damascus government and are encouraging Trump to do likewise, believing it will help prevent Iran from regaining influence in Syria, where Tehran had supported the Assad regime throughout the ten-year civil war.
