Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Makes Historic First Visit to the United States to Meet President Trump

President Sharaa's Washington visit follows his historic United Nations appearance in September. (File)

United States:

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa landed in the United States on Saturday for a historic official visit, according to Syria's state news agency, just one day after Washington removed him from its terrorism blacklist.

Sharaa, whose rebel forces successfully ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in late last year, is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.

According to analysts, this marks the first visit by a Syrian president to the United States since Syria gained independence in 1946.

The interim Syrian leader previously met Trump in Riyadh during the US president's Middle East tour in May.

US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack stated earlier this month that Sharaa would "hopefully" sign an agreement to join the international US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS).

The United States plans to establish a military base near Damascus "to coordinate humanitarian aid and observe developments between Syria and Israel," according to a diplomatic source in Syria who spoke to AFP.

Friday's decision by the State Department to remove Sharaa from the terrorism blacklist had been widely anticipated.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott explained that Sharaa's government had been meeting US requirements, including efforts to locate missing Americans and eliminate any remaining chemical weapons.

"These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad and more than 50 years of repression under the Assad regime," Pigott stated.

The spokesman added that the US delisting would promote "regional security and stability as well as an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process."

Sharaa's Washington trip follows his landmark United Nations visit in September – his first time on American soil – where the former jihadist became the first Syrian president in decades to address the UN General Assembly in New York.

On Thursday, Washington led a Security Council vote to remove UN sanctions against him.

Sharaa's group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda, was removed from Washington's terrorist organization list as recently as July.

Since assuming power, Syria's new leadership has worked to distance itself from its violent past and present a more moderate image that appeals to ordinary Syrians and foreign powers.

The White House visit "is further testament to the US commitment to the new Syria and a hugely symbolic moment for the country's new leader, who thus marks another step in his astonishing transformation from militant leader to global statesman," said Michael Hanna, International Crisis Group US program director.

Sharaa is expected to seek financial support for Syria, which faces enormous challenges in rebuilding after 13 years of devastating civil war.

In October, the World Bank estimated the cost of rebuilding Syria at a "conservative best estimate" of $216 billion.