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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday met with Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh. This meeting between the two leaders marked the first such encounter between the nations’ heads of state in 25 years. Held on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, the meeting was highly significant, reflecting a major political shift following the collapse of the Assad regime during a major opposition offensive in December 2024.On being asked how the POTUS found the Syrian President, Trump told reporters that meeting with al-Sharaa was “great”. He further described him as a “Young, attractive guy, tough guy.”Trump also said that al-Sharaa has a “Strong past, very strong past — fighter. He’s got a real shot at holding it together.”The meeting is a major development that comes after Sharaa’s rebel group overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December.Trump lifts Syria sanctionsOn Tuesday, the United States announced it would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, a major policy change that could boost Syria’s war-torn economy and reshape power dynamics in the Middle East.Speaking at a business forum in Riyadh, Trump said, “It’s now time for Syria to move forward with a chance at greatness.” His comments received a standing ovation from the audience, which included business elites like Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and BlackRock’s Larry Fink.Saudi Arabia has pushed the US to ease sanctions to help rebuild Syria and keep it within the Arab world’s sphere of influence. This move comes after Iran’s role in Syria weakened following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.Syrian Americans and people close to the Trump administration have also supported lifting sanctions, backing interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa’s call for new leadership.However, Sharaa’s past has raised concerns. He was once linked to al-Qaeda, and some of his followers are extreme Islamists, making both the US and Israel wary of the direction his government might take.Historic meetingTrump’s meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa raised eyebrows globally due to the Syrian president’s murky past. Previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, he was linked to al-Qaeda and fought against US forces in Iraq, even spending years in American custody. His transformation from militant leader to head of state has caused concern in Washington and Tel Aviv, especially with fears over extremist influence in the new Syrian government.The meeting took place despite direct appeals from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to maintain sanctions on Syria, underlining growing tensions between the US and Israel. Israel remains deeply worried that Sharaa’s leadership could open Syria up as a launchpad for attacks similar to the October 2023 Hamas assault. The controversial decision to lift sanctions came just as Israel continues its war against Hamas in Gaza, amplifying regional unease.Trump’s move was hailed by Gulf Arab allies like Saudi Arabia, who see al-Sharaa as a potential counterbalance to Iranian influence in Syria. The closed-door meeting, also attended by Turkish President Erdoğan via phone, signalled a dramatic shift in US policy. While Trump framed the sanctions relief as a “chance for greatness” for Syria, critics worry it legitimises a fragile and potentially dangerous new regime
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