Trump holds talks with Al-Sharaa at White House

WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump held talks on Monday with Syria's President Ahmad Al-Sharaa at the White House, ushering in a new chapter in relations between the two countries.
President Trump and President Al-Sharaa's meeting was held behind closed doors without the media present and the White House did not issue a statement following the meeting.
Al-Sharaa is the first Syrian leader to visit the White House since the country's 1946 independence.
In Damascus, Syria's presidency said on X that Sharaa and Trump discussed the bilateral relationship, "the ways to strengthen and develop it, as well as a number of regional and international issues of common interest." Earlier, the United States announced a partial suspension of the comprehensive Caesar Act sanctions on Syria to allow for rebuilding the conflict-torn country.
In a press statement, the US Department of Treasury said that the suspension halts the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the Caesar Act except for certain transactions involving the governments of Russia and Iran, or the transfer of provisions of Russian-origin or Iranian-origin goods, technology, software, funds, financing, or services.
It argued that with this move, President Trump is delivering on his commitment to give Syria "a chance at greatness" and to let them rebuild and thrive by lifting US sanctions and ensuring accountability for harmful actors.
On May 13, 2025, President Trump announced the lifting of US sanctions on Syria to give the country a chance at peace and prosperity.
In June, the President issued an executive order that removed US sanctions and directed agencies to take additional measures to encourage US private sector and foreign partner re-engagement in Syria. (end) rsr.ibi