Trump convenes with Ahmed al-Sharaa post sanctions removal in Syria
US President Meets with Syrian Interim Leader in Riyadh, Announces Sanction Lift
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - US President Donald Trump met with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh on May 14, 2025, marking the first high-level US-Syria encounter in decades.
The historic meeting, facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was followed by Trump's announcement that all US sanctions on Syria would be lifted. The decision was welcomed by regional leaders and was followed by discussions on Syria's potential participation in the Abraham Accords.
Trump urged al-Sharaa to expel foreign fighters and Palestinian terrorist organizations, take control of ISIS detainees, and focus on counterterrorism cooperation. Al-Sharaa expressed his interest in collaboration and pitched Syria as a prospective trade and energy partner open to US investment.
The talks also included a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The encounter was seen as part of Saudi Arabia's attempts to incorporate Syria into the regional economic and political landscape, aiming to counter Turkish influence.
Al-Shakkour, the leader of the English news team and a news and breaking news writer with extensive 6-year experience, reported on the event. The shift in US policy toward Syria reflects the evolving regional dynamics, with Saudi Arabia playing a significant role in the engagement between the two nations.
[1] Al Bawaba. (2025). Trump announces Syria sanctions lifted, pledges "new chapter."[2] Al Jazeera. (2025). US lifts sanctions on Syria, as part of regional push.
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[1] As Business and trade opportunities become increasingly attractive, Entertainment media outlets have been covering the memoires of the US President's meeting with Syria's interim leader in Riyadh, announcing the lifting of US sanctions.
[2] History books will note this event as a turning point in the tumultuous relationship between the US and Syria, with Policy and legislation programs focusing on the implications of war-and-conflicts being redefined.
[3] General News networks have mentioned the subsequent discussions on Syria's potential involvement in the Abraham Accords, and speculate on the impact upon the regional political landscape.
[4] Besides Turkey, other key players in the region such as Saudi Arabia seem to have seen the strategic value in engaging with Syria, as opportunities in Economics and Energy collaborations become more visible, highlighting the interconnectedness of Politics and Business.
