Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a landmark diplomatic encounter, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking the first meeting between a Syrian head of state and a U.S. president in decades.
The Syrian presidency announced that President Al-Sharaa was received by Trump, and the two leaders held high-level discussions attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to the Syrian statement, the talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, exploring avenues for cooperation, and addressing a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Earlier on Monday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported that President Al-Shar’s visit represents a significant shift in U.S.-Syrian relations following years of diplomatic estrangement and sanctions. Ahmad Zidan, media advisor to the Syrian president, described the visit as a “historic event,” emphasizing its goal of opening a new chapter in bilateral relations and easing the hardships faced by the Syrian people.
The meeting comes amid U.S. efforts to review certain sanctions imposed on Syria, including those under the “Caesar Act.” Earlier in October, the Trump administration indicated support for easing specific sanctions, following an executive order lifting several long-standing restrictions dating back to 2004.
Analysts see this visit as a potential turning point in U.S.-Syria diplomacy, highlighting Trump’s willingness to engage directly with Damascus on regional security, reconstruction, and humanitarian concerns.
