US President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House yesterday. It is the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the White House in almost 80 years.
The former al-Qaeda comrade arrived at the White House without the usual ceremony for state guests. He entered the building unnoticed by reporters through a side entrance rather than through the main entrance of the West Wing, where the cameras were set up.
Just under a year ago, an alliance of Islamist rebels led by Sharaa overthrew long-time Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. Since then, the 43-year-old has been trying to lead his country out of decades of isolation.
Sanctions remain suspended
After the meeting, the US government said that Trump wanted to keep his promise and give Syria “a chance for greatness”. The government extended the suspension of certain sanctions by six months.
However, they were not completely lifted, as a document from the Ministry of Finance shows. The easing was intended to promote Syria’s reconstruction and stability. Just a few days ago, the USA withdrew its classification of Sharaa as a “global terrorist”.
No confirmation on anti-IS alliance yet
An expected announcement by Sharaa that his country would join the US-led coalition to fight the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia has not yet been officially confirmed.
So far, only Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who was also received at the White House, has commented. He described the meeting as constructive. It had been prepared for months.
The Foreign Ministry also said that both sides had agreed to implement a roadmap for cooperation. The aim is to restore diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, reopen common institutions and strengthen political and economic cooperation.
Shortly before the meeting, it became known from security circles that two separately planned attacks on Sharaa by the radical Islamic militia had been foiled in recent months.