Trump meets Syrian president as US removes sanctions

President Trump met with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, marking the first US-Syrian presidential meeting since 2000. Following the 30-minute discussion, Trump announced the lifting of all US sanctions against Syria, per The Guardian.

“It gives them a chance for greatness,” Trump said of the former militant who had a $10 million US bounty until December 2024.

Trump described al-Sharaa as a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past,” adding that Syria agreed to join the Abraham Accords normalising relations with Israel eventually.

The Guardian