The United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump described his first meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa as “excellent,” praising the leader’s potential while speaking aboard Air Force One.
“Young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong background. Very strong background. A fighter. He has a serious chance to keep everything together,” Trump told reporters.
The meeting, held in the Saudi capital Riyadh, was attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and included Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan via phone.
“I spoke with President Erdogan, who is very friendly toward him. He feels he has a chance to do a good job. That is a devastated country,” said Trump.
The U.S. president added that he encouraged Syria to join the Abraham Accords once it resolves internal challenges.
“I told him: ‘I hope you’ll join when that’s sorted out,'” Trump stated.
The Abraham Accords is a controversial pact signed during Trump’s first term aiming to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab countries in the region.
Trump announced that the U.S. would lift sanctions on Syria, signaling a shift aimed at promoting a “new beginning” for the war-torn country.
