Trump encourages 'historic opportunity' in Syria talks
Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia. The White House spokesperson reported that the U.S. President informed the former Al-Qaeda member that he "has a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country."
Donald Trump met with the new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning. According to the "New York Times," the leaders spoke for about half an hour. The meeting was confirmed by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on the X platform.
"Today, President Trump, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. President Erdogan of Turkey joined by phone," wrote Leavitt. "President Erdogan praised President Trump for lifting sanctions on Syria and committed to working alongside Saudi Arabia to encourage peace and prosperity in Syria," she continued. Additionally, as the spokesperson noted, "President Trump thanked President Erdogan and the Crown Prince for their friendship, and told President Al-Sharaa that he has a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country."
Leavitt also noted that the U.S. President urged the Syrian leader to: deport Palestinian terrorists and encourage others to leave Syria, sign the "Abraham Accords" with Israel, assist the U.S. in destroying ISIS, and take responsibility for detention centers in northeastern Syria.
Trump's meeting with the Syrian president
The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime following the unexpected rebel offensive last December surprised the international community and opened the possibility of a new beginning for the devastated country. The new President of Syria is Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former member of Al-Qaeda, who describes himself as reformed.
