A meeting that once seemed improbable has transformed into a significant moment, condensing years of turmoil into mere minutes, as U.S. President Donald Trump greeted Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar’ in the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, reopening a dialogue that had been closed for over a decade.
This encounter follows Trump’s announcement to lift sanctions that have been imposed on Syria for more than ten years, a move welcomed by Syrian Foreign Minister As’ad al-Shaybani, who referred to it as “a new beginning in the reconstruction journey,” stating that “work towards a great Syria has now commenced.”
The meeting between Trump and al-Shar’ is viewed as a culmination of geopolitical shifts in the region, particularly with increasing regional support for the new Syria and the interest of various nations in reintegrating it into the regional and international framework.
This landmark meeting provides significant momentum for al-Shar’ as he endeavors to revitalize Syria’s war-torn economy.
New channels for cooperation between the two nations are anticipated, covering reconstruction, counter-terrorism, and security coordination, which may reshape the balance of power in the Middle East.
Following the meeting, Trump conveyed his admiration for the transitional Syrian leader as he departed from Riyadh during a Gulf tour, expressing a keen interest in normalizing relations with Damascus.
In remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One after the meeting, Trump stated that the Syrian president “has potential; he is a true leader.”
He further praised al-Shar’, describing him as a dynamic young figure with a compelling personality, emphasizing that “he has a real opportunity to take control of the situation.”
The White House spokesperson revealed that Trump has invited al-Shar’ to join the Abraham Accords with Israel, while also urging the Syrian leader to expel the Palestinian factions designated as terrorist organizations by Washington from Syria and to combat terrorism.
In response, al-Shar’ indicated that he welcomes American companies to invest in Syria’s oil and gas sectors, according to the White House. This interaction marked the first meeting between a U.S. and a Syrian president in 25 years.
In a serious tone regarding the new Syrian government, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that “Israel seeks good relations with the new Syrian regime,” adding that “we naturally have security concerns, but our intentions are sincere; we desire security and stability,” which represents a shift following years of political and military pressure against Syria since the fall of Assad.