Trump meets Syrian president and lifts all sanctions in main coverage shift

[ad_1] President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday, a day after lifting all sanctions on Syria, marking a serious shift in coverage.

The final time a gathering between the 2 nations' management was with former President Invoice Clinton in 2000.

Trump met with al-Sharaa for an off-the-cuff chat on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the place he was set to handle leaders as a part of his four-day regional tour.

TRUMP SAYS HE'LL DROP SANCTIONS ON SYRIA IN MOVE TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS

US President Donald Trump (C) meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara (L) together with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) throughout the first leg of his three-country Center East tour in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Could 14, 2025. (Bandar Al-Jaloud/Saudi Royal Court docket/Handout/Anadolu by way of Getty Pictures)

Trump acknowledged on the summit this was a step toward peace and rebuilding relations with Syria’s authorities.

"We're at the moment exploring normalizing relations with Syria’s new authorities, as you understand, starting with my assembly with President Ahmed Al-Shara and Secretary Rubio's assembly with the Syrian International Minister in Turkey after discussing the scenario with Crown Prince Mohammed," Trump mentioned on the broader summit.

"I am additionally ordering the cessation of sanctions in opposition to Syria to present them a contemporary begin. It provides them an opportunity for greatness. The sanctions had been actually crippling, very highly effective," he mentioned.

Syrians had been seen and heard celebrating the announcement by Trump that he would transfer to raise sanctions on the beleaguered Center Jap nation.

Syrian individuals flocked to the streets within the capital Damascus to have fun US President Donald Trump's resolution to raise sanctions. (Amadeusz Mikolaj Swierk/Anadolu by way of Getty Pictures)

TRUMP'S MIDDLE EAST TOUR BEGINS WITH SYRIA LOOMING AS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY

A press release from Syria’s International Ministry referred to as the announcement "a pivotal turning level for the Syrian individuals as we search to emerge from an extended and painful chapter of battle."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio can also be scheduled to fulfill along with his Syrian counterpart later within the week. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool)

Trump says he feels strongly that this new endeavor will give Syria an amazing probability at a contemporary begin.

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"I felt very strongly that this is able to give them an opportunity," mentioned the president. "It isn't going to be straightforward anyway, so it provides them , robust probability. And it was my honor to take action, so we will probably be dropping the entire sanctions on Syria, which I feel actually goes to be factor."