Historic Meeting: Syrian President Al-Sharaa Welcomed at White House as Trump Lifts Sanctions

US President Donald Trump welcoming Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House with a handshake, marking a significant diplomatic milestone.

Washington:

President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House following the removal of sanctions against Syria, a nation that had been diplomatically isolated for decades until rebel forces overthrew Syrian President Bashar Assad in December last year.

Al-Sharaa, who previously maintained connections with al-Qaida and once had a $10 million American bounty placed on him, was appointed as interim leader in January.

The two leaders initially met in Saudi Arabia in May. This White House visit represents a historic moment, as al-Sharaa becomes the first Syrian head of state to be received at the White House since Syria gained its independence from France in 1946.

Among al-Sharaa's key objectives is securing permanent elimination of sanctions that were imposed on Syria due to widespread human rights abuse allegations against Assad's regime and security forces.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration returned to the Supreme Court on Monday seeking to maintain the freeze on full payments for the SNAP federal food assistance program during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, leaving 42 million disadvantaged Americans uncertain about their grocery assistance.