US President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Jolani) on Wednesday (14) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was the first meeting between a US president and a Syrian head of state in 25 years, marking a turnaround in relations between the two countries. The day before, Trump announced the end of economic sanctions imposed on the Middle Eastern country.
“After discussing the situation in Syria with the crown prince [of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman], and also with Turkish President Erdogan, who called me the other day and asked for something very similar, among other friends of mine, people I have great respect for in the Middle East, I will order the end of sanctions against Syria to give them a chance,” Trump announced in a meeting with Saudi Arabian investors.
The announcement took place during the first international trip of Trump’s second term, to Middle Eastern countries.
The measures were applied against the government of Bashad al-Assad during the nearly 14-year war that toppled the former Syrian regime, contributing to the economic crisis the country is experiencing, with about 90% of the population below the poverty line, according to the UN.
Historic Meeting
Saudi Arabian prince and, by phone, the Turkish president participated in the meeting. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was the leader of the main insurgent group that toppled Assad, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The organization was previously linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, considered terrorists by Western powers. However, in recent years, Ahmed has adopted a more moderate discourse, distancing himself from his Al-Qaeda origins.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Trump reiterated the decision to suspend the Unilateral Coercive Measures (UCM) against Syria, according to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The discussions also addressed paths for Syrian-American partnership in counter-terrorism efforts and cooperation in eliminating the influence of non-state actors and armed groups that undermine stability, including Isis [Islamic State] and other threats,” the ministry reported, in a statement.
Source: Agência Brasil