Trump meets Syrian President al-Sharaa in Riyadh

US President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh.

Trump said on Tuesday he would order the lifting of all sanctions on Syria at the behest of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a huge boost for al-Sharaa as he seeks to stabilize a country shattered by war.

Trump made the surprise announcement during a regional tour that began in Saudi Arabia.

Syria’s foreign minister said that Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria was a “pivotal turning point” for the country.

Speaking to Syrian state news agency SANA, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said he welcomed Trump’s announcement, calling it a “pivotal turning point for the Syrian people, as we move towards a future of stability, self-sufficiency and genuine reconstruction after years of destructive war.”

A White House official said that Trump has agreed to say hello to al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Two sources from the Syrian presidency said al-Sharaa would travel to Riyadh to meet Trump.

The United States imposed tough sanctions on Syria during the rule of Bashar al-Assad, and had kept them in place since he was toppled from power in December after more than 13 years of war.