The first Syrian president in the White House in decades… What are the most prominent issues to be discussed?
Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al Sharaa, paid an official visit to the United States, the first of its kind by a Syrian president since the country’s independence in 1946.
He arrived in Washington on Saturday evening, in preparation for his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the visit — which was confirmed by Minister Asaad al Shaibani last week at the Manama Dialogue forum — represents a historic event that ends an era of diplomatic isolation between Damascus and Washington.
The talks will witness several pivotal issues, including, lifting US sanctions on Syria, strengthening reconstruction efforts, settling the foreign presence inside the country, as well as discussing the situation of minorities and the peace process with Israel.
The visit also includes the possibility of Syria signing an agreement to join the US-led international coalition to combat the Islamic State, a strategic step to formally integrate Damascus into counterterrorism efforts.
