Al-Sharaa at the White House: Trump praises Syria's interim president as a "tough guy"
Recently a wanted terrorist, now a state guest at the White House: Syria's interim president al-Sharaa meets with President Trump during his US visit. He pledges support in the fight against ISIS.
For the first time since the country's independence in 1946, a Syrian head of state is visiting Washington. US President Donald Trump received Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the White House. "He's a very strong leader," Trump said of the former jihadist al-Sharaa after the meeting. Trump praised al-Sharaa for his strength. "He comes from a very tough place and he's a tough guy," the US president said. He wants Syria to be "very successful." Al-Sharaa "can do it, I really believe that," Trump added.
Following the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Trump had already paused US sanctions against Syria in May. This suspension has now been extended for another 180 days. The US State Department favors a complete lifting of the sanctions imposed in 2019. However, this requires a vote by the US Congress.
Syria joins coalition against ISEven before the announcement, US Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack had declared that Syria would join the US-led coalition to combat the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS). Information Secretary Hamza al-Mustafa wrote on Twitter that Syria had signed a corresponding cooperation agreement. Trump declined to confirm this, nor would he say whether al-Sharaa would sign a non-aggression pact with Syria's long-time enemy, Israel. IS overran large swathes of territory in Syria and neighboring Iraq in 2014. At times, the terrorist group controlled roughly a third of Syria and 40 percent of Iraq. Although it is considered militarily defeated, an estimated 2,500 IS fighters remain active in both countries, carrying out attacks.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, who was also received at the White House, described the meeting as constructive. He said it had been months in the making. The Foreign Ministry also stated that both sides had agreed on a roadmap for cooperation. The goal is to restore diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, reopen joint institutions, and strengthen political and economic cooperation.
Contrary to usual practice, the meeting between the two leaders took place away from the cameras. "The Syrian president has arrived at the White House," was the only official announcement from the US side. "The meeting between President Trump and President al-Sharaa has begun." The Syrian presidency released photos of Trump in the Oval Office shaking hands with a smiling al-Sharaa. After the meeting, al-Sharaa stepped out of his motorcade in front of the White House to greet supporters.
The US wants to limit Iran's influenceAl-Sharaa was only removed from the US terror list on Friday, which made the visit with Trump possible. A day earlier, the UN Security Council, at Washington's initiative, had voted to lift sanctions against the former jihadist. Al-Sharaa's Islamist HTS militia is a former branch of al-Qaeda, but it broke away from the extremist network years ago. Since taking office, the interim president has been striving for a more moderate image and international recognition.
Al-Sharaas's trip to Washington is seen as another milestone in Syria's post-Assad history. Observers are calling it a turning point in relations between Syria and the US. The US is also keen to contain Iran's influence in Syria. The Islamic Republic and its allied militias were one of Assad's most important allies.
The actions and direction of the interim government in Syria are being closely monitored internationally. Experts see a willingness to move towards democratic change, but also view the first few months of the new leadership's term with criticism. The protection of minorities in deeply divided Syria is a particular focus. Since the fall of Assad, there have been repeated outbreaks of violence, some resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people. Security forces of the interim government were sometimes involved in these outbreaks.
Source: ntv.de, ino/AFP/dpa
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