US President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his visit to Saudi Arabia on May 14, a senior White House official confirmed.
The meeting, expected to take place in Riyadh, marks a significant moment in the evolving US approach toward Syria’s new leadership, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.
"The president agreed to say hello to the Syrian president while in Saudi Arabia tomorrow," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Trump arrived in Riyadh on May 13 as part of his first overseas tour since beginning his second term in January. His itinerary also includes high-level visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), underscoring the administration’s renewed diplomatic focus on the Gulf region.
Speaking to reporters before his departure on May 12, President Trump hinted at a potential policy shift regarding Syria, stating that he is weighing the possibility of lifting US sanctions on the war-torn country. “We're going to have to make a decision on the sanctions, which we may very well relieve. We may take them off Syria because we want to give them a fresh start,” Trump said from the White House. “But President Erdogan has asked me about that, many people have asked me about that.”
The remarks suggest that Washington is seriously considering re-engaging with Damascus in the wake of dramatic political changes. Al-Sharaa, a former insurgent commander, rose to power after leading a sweeping military campaign that ousted longtime leader Bashar al-Assad. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of Damascus in late 2024, ending the Baath Party’s 54-year rule.
Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly a quarter-century, fled to Russia on December 8 following the fall of his regime, bringing an end to a dynasty that had dominated Syrian politics since 1971.
The US has been closely monitoring Syria’s political changes since al-Sharaa's inauguration in December, especially in light of the shifting alliances in the Middle East. Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have strongly supported the new Syrian government, viewing it as a counterbalance to Iran’s growing influence in the region. These Gulf leaders are pushing Trump to follow their lead in recognizing and engaging with al-Sharaa’s administration.
By Vafa Guliyeva
Source: caliber.az
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