Trump Meets President Ahmad al-Sharaa; Lifts Sanctions on Syria

By Deepak Arora

RIYADH, May 14: US President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and lifted sanctions on Syria, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt'

She informed that President Trump met the Syrian President at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. President Erdogan of Turkey joined by phone.

The Press Secretary informed Erdogan praised President Trump for lifting sanctions on Syria and committed to working alongside Saudi Arabia to encourage peace and prosperity in Syria.

She informed that the Crown Prince also commended President Trump for his decision to lift the sanctions, calling it courageous.

President Trump thanked President Erdogan and the Crown Prince for their friendship, and told President Al-Sharaa that he has a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country.

President Trump encouraged President Al-Sharaa to do a great job for the Syrian people, and urged him to:

1. Sign onto the Abraham Accords with Israel
2. Tell all foreign terrorists to leave Syria
3. Deport Palestinian terrorists
4. Help the United States to prevent the resurgence of ISIS
5. Assume responsibility for ISIS detention centers in Northeast Syria

President Al-Sharaa thanked President Trump, the Crown Prince, and President Erdogan for their efforts to put together the meeting, and recognized the significant opportunity presented by the Iranians leaving Syria, as well as shared U.S.-Syrian interests in countering terrorism and eliminating chemical weapons.

President Al-Sharaa affirmed his commitment to the 1974 disengagement with Israel. President Al-Sharaa concluded with his hope that Syria would serve as a critical link in facilitating trade between east and west, and invited American companies to invest in Syrian oil and gas.

The Russia-Ukraine war and the war in Gaza was also discussed, informed the Press Secretary.

It may be mentioned that the sanctions being lifted and today's historic meeting has opened a new era in the Middle East (Gulf) and West Asia. Ahmad al-Sharaa's meteoric rise from a UN-designated global terrorist to Syria's new President - now with formal ties with America - is perhaps the most astonishing turnarounds in geopolitical history.

Syria's Foreign Ministry has hailed Donald Trump's announcement today as a "pivotal turning point" in the country's journey. A statement released by their foreign office said, "The removal of these sanctions offers a vital opportunity for Syria to pursue stability, self-sufficiency and meaningful national reconstruction, led by and for the Syrian people."