The United States has lifted sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of a White House meeting with President Donald Trump. Al-Sharaa, 43, a former member of al Qaeda, was named transitional president after he led rebels against former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
On Friday, al-Sharaa was no longer deemed a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. State Department. The Department of the Treasury also announced that Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab was being cleared of the same designation.
“These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad and more than 50 years of repression under the Assad regime,” reads the State Department announcement.
“This new Syrian government, led by President al-Sharaa, is working hard to locate missing Americans, fulfill its commitments on countering terrorism and narcotics, eliminating any remnants of chemical weapons, and promoting regional security and stability as well as an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process,” the agency concluded.
The United Nations followed suit, lifting their own sanctions against the upstart regime on Thursday.
Al-Sharaa is expected to be at the White House on Monday, November 10, where he will meet with President Trump, becoming the first-ever Syrian president to visit the Oval Office.
The two world leaders previously met in May during President Trump’s visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Al-Sharaa reportedly made a favorable impression on Trump.
“Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter,” Trump said immediately after meeting the former al Qaeda leader. “He’s got a real shot at holding it together.”
Following that meeting, Trump lifted all U.S. sanctions on the nation of Syria.
Al-Sharaa made headlines last month when he appeared to flirt with CBS reporter Margaret Brennan during a “60 Minutes” interview.
“When you met President Trump back in May, he described you as handsome, tough, and said you had a strong past,” Brennan said.
Al-Sharaa smirked and responded in Arabic, “Have you any doubt about that?”
https://nypost.com/2025/11/08/world-news/us-lifts-sanctions-on-syrian-president-ahead-of-white-house-meeting-with-president-trump/