**Historic Meeting: Trump and Syria's President Al-Shara Discuss Future Relations**

This article delves into the implications of U.S. sanctions relief and potential regional stability following Trump's engagement with Al-Shara.

In a landmark event, President Donald Trump met with Syria's newly elected President, Ahmed al-Shara, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, signaling a profound change in the diplomatic landscape between the United States and Syria. This was the first such meeting in 25 years and comes on the heels of Trump's announcement that the U.S. would lift longstanding sanctions against Syria.

The meeting occurred just ahead of a summit with Gulf leaders, with Trump lauding the opportunity before Al-Shara to undertake significant reforms and to facilitate Syria's reintegration into the international community after years of isolation and turmoil. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, detailed that Trump encouraged Al-Shara to normalize relations with Israel and called for the expulsion of foreign terrorists from Syria.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, host of the summit, was present at the meeting, alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who participated via phone. Both Leaders expressed gratitude for the sanctions' lifting, which they classified as a “courageous” move designed to stabilize the region.

This engagement not only marks a pivotal moment for U.S.-Syria relations but could also signal a shifting tide in Middle Eastern geopolitics as Al-Shara navigates the complex aftermath of the Syrian Civil War and seeks to redefine the country's position on the world stage.