TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - U.S. President Donald Trump met Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa for the first time on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting was reported by both the White House and Saudi media, according to Anadolu.
During the encounter, Trump called on al-Sharaa to improve ties with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords and urged him to “tell all foreign terrorists” to leave Syria, according to a White House statement.
This brief meeting followed the recent U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Syria. Trump said the move was meant to "give them a chance to be great."
As part of his four-day Middle East visit, Trump also addressed Gulf leaders at a summit, where he reiterated his desire to make a deal with Iran but emphasized that Tehran must stop "sponsoring terror."
Trump is expected to continue his regional tour with a visit to Qatar for a state dinner.
A White House official confirmed earlier that Trump had agreed to meet al-Sharaa during his stop in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum 2025 on Tuesday, Trump said he would lift the "brutal and crippling" U.S. sanctions on Syria to help the country rebuild.
According to Al Arabiya, Trump stated that the decision came at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing it as a major opportunity for al-Sharaa as he works to stabilize a war-torn nation.
Syria’s foreign minister welcomed the move, calling it a turning point.
“This marks a significant turning point for the Syrian people as we move toward a stable, independent future and true reconstruction after years of destructive war,” said Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, as quoted by the state news agency SANA.
The U.S. had imposed heavy sanctions during the rule of Bashar al-Assad and continued to enforce them until he was ousted in December after more than 13 years of conflict.
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