Photo: Afp
Editorial team
American President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the White House, marking the first official visit by a Syrian head of state since 1946, the year of the country’s independence from France. The meeting came after Trump’s decision to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, a country considered a pariah state for decades due to human rights violations and repression carried out by Bashar Assad’s regime. Al-Sharaa was appointed interim leader of Syria in January, after leading the rebel forces that ousted Bashar Assad in December. In the past he had ties to al-Qaeda and there was a bounty of 10 million dollars on him.
His appointment marked a significant turning point in Syrian politics and international relations. One of al-Sharaa’s main goals is the permanent lifting of sanctions that have impacted the country in recent decades. As the White House announced hours earlier, the meeting took place behind closed doors and therefore the press was not allowed inside. The talks focused on political prospects and cooperation between the United States and Syria, in an effort to normalize relations after years of international isolation.
