Donald Trump mentioned that his administration is presently contemplating the possibility of establishing normal diplomatic ties with Syria. These comments were made recently.

following his meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa

, whose troops brought an end to the long-standing dictatorship of the Assad dynasty.

Trump described Sharaa to reporters as a “young, attractive guy – tough guy” with a strong background, and believed the former rebel fighter had

a real chance to introduce stability to Syria

“He really has a good chance of making it work,” Trump stated while on board Air Force One.

Trump disclosed that both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had asked him for this.

lift the sanctions

.

“It’s not going to be easy anyway. So it gives them a good, strong chance, and it was my honor to do so,” Trump informed the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh.

Trump urged Sharaa to stabilize relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords and to counter terrorism, according to a social media post by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Despite the White House releasing an image from the meeting, journalists accompanying Trump were barred from entering the chamber. A video clip capturing their discussion inside a majestic Saudi royal residence revealed signs of early discomfort as they conversed via an interpreter.

The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was beaming with delight, sat beside them, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated in the conversation via telephone.

Trump acknowledged that it was these two leaders who had influenced his decision to lift the US’s stringent sanctions on Syria. Trump’s unexpected announcement on Tuesday night at a significant US-Saudi investment forum in Riyadh earned him a standing ovation.

This represented an utter about-face from his earlier position, as he had often shared on social media platforms that the US “had no interest in Syria.”

Since taking office in December, Sharaa has adopted a Western business attire and is striving to portray himself as a leader for all Syrians. However, his past has continued to raise eyebrows internationally.

A string of violent confrontations between factions loyal to Sharaa’s administration and ethnic minorities have stoked concerns that he might resort to force to retain power.

Yet, Sharaa has proven to be a skilled diplomat, touring Arab countries and beyond to alleviate these apprehensions and rally support for lifting sanctions and rebuilding Syria.

“It’s a new light at the end of this tunnel,” Hind Kabawat, the interim government’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, said following the meeting.

Speaking on the BBC’s Newshour program, she revealed they had been advocating for sanctions relief since their “Liberation Day.” The U.S. decision triggered widespread celebrations across a nation where an estimated 90% of Syrians live in poverty, following over a decade of civil war and immense hardship.

The removal of restrictions that isolated Syria from the global financial system will facilitate increased involvement by aid organizations and stimulate foreign investment and trade.