Former al Qaeda commander and now Syrian chief Ahmed al Sharaa has been welcomed by Donald Trump to the White Home.
It was the primary go to to the Oval Workplace by a Syrian head of state because the nation gained independence in 1946.
Mr Sharaa, 43, who as soon as had a $10m US bounty on his head, led insurgent forces that overthrew dictator Bashar al-Assad final December, and was named interim chief in January.
The US president referred to as Mr al Sharaa a “very strong leader” after their assembly and prompt the US would work to assist the nation succeed.
“He comes from a very tough place,” Mr Trump mentioned, including Mr al Sharaa is a “tough guy” and “I like him”.
Mr Sharra has “had a rough past”, however added, “we’ve all had a rough past”, he added.
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Trump shared an image of the 2 leaders on social media. Pic: Reality Social
Mr Trump has change into one of many Syrian president’s extra enthusiastic backers, contemplating the nation of strategic significance.
He did not present any coverage particulars in regards to the assembly, however mentioned “we’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful because that’s part of the Middle East”.
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Trump and al Sharaa appeared to hit it off. Pics: AP
‘What the hell are we doing?’
Mr al Sharaa was greeted by a cheering crowd of supporters, some waving Syrian flags, upon his arrival on Monday.
However not everybody was overjoyed on the historic assembly.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer, a self-proclaimed “Islamophobe” who wields affect in Mr Trump’s MAGA motion, posted on X that Mr al Sharaa was “the ISIS ‘President’ of Syria”.
“What the hell are we doing?” she wrote of his White Home go to.
Days earlier than the assembly, Mr Trump advised reporters “a lot of progress has been made” on Syria and Mr al Sharaa was “doing a very good job”.
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al Sharaa waves as he greets supporters exterior the White Home. Pics: AP
Final week, the US voted to raise a sequence of sanctions on the Syrian president and members of his authorities.
Mr al Sharaa is hoping for a everlasting repeal of sanctions positioned on Syria for allegations of human rights abuses by Assad’s authorities and safety forces – however congressional motion can be wanted for a everlasting repeal.
Mr Trump and Mr al Sharaa first met in Might in Saudi Arabia. On the time, the US president described Mr al Sharaa as a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past, very strong past. Fighter”.
Monday’s assembly got here after Syria launched raids in opposition to Islamic State cells.
It was the primary official encounter between the US and Syria since 2000, when then president Invoice Clinton met Hafez Assad.
