Closed press meeting: What do we know about Sharaa’s private White House meeting?

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, marking a historic moment in US-Syrian relations just days after Washington officially removed Sharaa from its terrorism blacklist.

According to a statement from the White House, “The president of Syria arrived at the White House... The meeting between President Trump and President al-Sharaa has also started.” The talks, held behind closed doors, marked the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the White House since Syria’s independence in 1946.

Sharaa’s visit follows a dramatic political turnaround for both him and his country. His movement, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once affiliated with al-Qaeda, was delisted as a terrorist organization in July, while Sharaa himself was formally removed from the blacklist last Friday.

President Trump praised his Syrian counterpart ahead of the meeting, saying, “He’s doing a very good job. It’s a tough neighborhood. And he’s a tough guy. But I got along with them very well and a lot of progress has been made with Syria.”

- What was discussed? -

During his visit, Sharaa is expected to seek US financial support for Syria’s post-war recovery and discuss cooperation against Daesh elements still active in the region. The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, suggested that Sharaa may also sign an agreement to join the US-led international coalition against Daesh.

During the meeting, President Trump praised the Syrian leadership and the Syrian people, highlighting Syria’s efforts in stabilizing the country and achieving progress in reconstruction following years of conflict.

“The United States is ready to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of Syria’s next phase of development,” Trump said.

Following the presidential talks, a working session took place involving Foreign Minister al-Shaibani, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The meeting focused on the follow-up and implementation of prior agreements, with mechanisms established to ensure practical progress.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the March 10 agreement, which includes integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian Arab Army to unify institutions and bolster national security. The United States also expressed support for negotiating a regional security agreement with Israel aimed at enhancing stability across the Middle East.

On the economic front, President Trump voiced support for Syria’s investment and reconstruction initiatives. He underscored the US commitment to lifting sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act, a move designed to promote economic growth and attract foreign investment to Syria.

A diplomatic source in Damascus told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the US plans to establish a military coordination base near Damascus to oversee humanitarian aid and monitor developments along the Syrian-'Israeli' border.

The Syrian leader’s trip to Washington follows weeks of diplomatic activity, including meetings with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and a symbolic public appearance playing basketball with US CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper and Brigadier General Kevin Lambert.

The historic visit concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts, symbolizing a mutual desire to build a new chapter in Syrian-American relations based on respect and shared interests.

Despite his past, Washington’s recent decision to remove sanctions and delist Sharaa was seen as a recognition of his government’s cooperation on key US demands, particularly its efforts to locate missing Americans and dismantle remaining chemical weapons stockpiles.

The visit comes after Sharaa became the first Syrian president in decades to address the UN General Assembly, where the US later led a Security Council vote lifting sanctions against him. He also met Russian President Vladimir Putin in October, underscoring Damascus’s effort to balance relations between Washington and Moscow.