The big twist/ Syrian President welcomed by Trump at the White House

2025-11-10 23:53:32Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Syrian President Receives Trump at the White House

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, 40, has had a very unusual life. From a jihadist fighter in the ranks of Al-Qaeda terrorists against the Americans, he spent years in Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison and then took over the leadership of Al-Nusra, being wanted with a $10 million bounty. Now President of Syria, he is expected to meet with Donald Trump in the Oval Office in Washington.

Historic meeting

The United States announced a partial suspension of some of the toughest sanctions against Syria for another 180 days. The news came after US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, in a historic meeting that marks a fundamental shift in relations between the two countries.

The visit, the first by a Syrian president to Washington since the country's independence, marks Syria's path to resurgence on the international stage after decades of isolation. Al-Sharaa, who took power in December 2024 after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, comes from the ranks of Islamist rebels who have now become an interlocutor with the West.

His arrival at the White House was discreet, without the honors and national flags that usually accompany heads of state.

The big twist/ Syrian President welcomed by Trump at the White House

The Americans have not yet "given" everything to him, having chosen for Al-Sharaa not to sit side by side with Trump on the Oval Office mantelpiece, but across from him at the desk.

The big twist/ Syrian President welcomed by Trump at the White House

According to the White House, the meeting focused on strengthening security and Syria's participation in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, while a possible security pact with Israel is also on the table.

At the same time, the US Treasury Department announced a new order, extending the suspension of the imposition of so-called "Caesar Act" sanctions for 6 months.

However, transactions involving the governments of Russia and Iran or products, technologies and financing originating from them are excluded.

A senior Trump administration official said that a complete repeal of the "Caesar Act" requires a decision by Congress.

Trump has already lifted many of the previous sanctions and described Al-Sharaa as a "strong leader facing a difficult neighborhood."

The talks come just days after Sharaa was removed from the list of "globally designated terrorists".

Washington is now considering establishing a US military presence at an air base near Damascus, as the two sides discuss ways to stabilize the country after 14 years of war.

Shortly before the meeting, Syrian authorities announced that they had thwarted two assassination attempts on Al-Sharaa by Islamic State groups.

Over the weekend, the Syrian Interior Ministry launched a campaign to dismantle key elements of the organization, arresting over 70 suspects.



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