President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader since the country gained independence in 1946. The meeting came as the U.S. Treasury Department extended sanctions on Damascus for another six months. Al-Sharaa, 43, a former al-Qaeda commander who overthrew Bashar al-Assad last December, has spent the past year reshaping his image, presenting himself as a unifying leader seeking to end Syria’s international isolation. The Syrian presidency said the talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation, and discussing regional and global issues of mutual concern. Trump praised al-Sharaa, saying, “He comes from a very tough place, and he’s a tough guy. I like him. We’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful, because that’s part of the Middle East. We have peace now in the Middle East – the first time that anyone can remember that ever happening.” He also acknowledged al-Sharaa’s controversial past, adding, “We’ve all had rough pasts.” Al-Sharaa later told Fox News that his former ties to al-Qaeda were in the past and were not part of discussions with Trump. He stressed that Syria is now considered a strategic partner rather than a threat. The White House meeting follows their first encounter six months ago in Saudi Arabia, where Trump announced plans to lift sanctions, and comes shortly after the U.S. removed al-Sharaa from its list of “Specially Designated Global Terrorists.” Captured by U.S. forces in Iraq, al-Sharaa later led Syria’s al-Qaeda branch, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which split from the network in 2016. Less than a year ago, the U.S. had offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture. Since assuming power, he has embraced his birth name and promoted a message of tolerance and inclusivity. Earlier this year, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, declaring that Syria is “reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world” while pursuing stronger economic ties with the U.S. and European Union. Despite the historic nature of the visit, al-Sharaa received a low-profile reception. He entered through a side door, without a formal greeting from Trump, and no joint press conference or photo session took place. As he left, he briefly greeted supporters outside the White House. An anonymous U.S. official said Syria would be allowed to resume operations at its embassy in Washington, enabling closer coordination on counterterrorism, security, and economic issues. The move could also pave the way for a potential U.S. troop withdrawal from the country. The visit occurred amid security concerns, with Syrian authorities revealing that two separate ISIL assassination plots targeting al-Sharaa had been foiled in recent months. Over the weekend, the Syrian Ministry of Interior launched a nationwide campaign against ISIL cells, arresting more than 70 suspects.
