Meeting Coincides with Announcement to Lift Longstanding U.S. Sanctions on Syria
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark meeting with Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, as part of his ongoing tour of the Middle East, prior to his visit to Qatar.
Al-Sharaa, once a senior commander and former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), assumed power following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December. The meeting marks the first official U.S. engagement with Syria’s new leadership.
Trump’s meeting with Al-Sharaa comes in tandem with his announcement to lift long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria, stating that the country “deserves a chance at greatness.”
The decision to engage with Syria’s new president was reportedly supported by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Trump made the announcement while speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, where he appeared alongside bin Salman. During the event, he also unveiled a $142 billion U.S.-Saudi arms agreement and announced $20 billion in joint investments in artificial intelligence.
The U.S. president is also holding discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders, including representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, as part of broader regional engagement efforts.
However, the upcoming leg of Trump’s trip to Qatar has drawn criticism in Washington amid reports that he may accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 aircraft from Qatar to be used as a new Air Force One.
Trump defended the offer, calling it a “gift” that would reduce costs for American taxpayers. Critics, however, have raised ethical and constitutional concerns over the move.
Qatar has played a significant diplomatic role in recent years, including mediating between Israel and Hamas, and facilitating peace talks between the United States and the Taliban.
Trump’s Middle East tour will conclude later this week with a final stop in Abu Dhabi.
