Al-Shaibani first Syrian FM in 25 years to visit Washington this week

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shaibani is scheduled to meet with US lawmakers in Washington this week to discuss lifting remaining American sanctions on his country, Axios reported Thursday, citing remarks by Senator Lindsey Graham, according to Reuters.

The visit marks the first trip by a Syrian foreign minister to Washington in more than 25 years. It follows comments made Wednesday by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who said ongoing negotiations between Syria and 'Israel' over a potential security agreement could yield results “in the coming days.”

Senator Graham told Axios that he and other members of the Senate were expected to meet Al-Shaibani on Thursday to discuss sanctions imposed under measures such as the Caesar Act and the possibility of lifting them permanently.

According to Axios, Al-Shaibani is also expected to hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday.

Graham said he would support lifting sanctions if Syria moved decisively toward concluding a new security agreement with 'Israel' and joined a coalition against ISIS.

Syria and 'Israel' have been holding discussions aimed at securing an agreement that Damascus hopes would halt 'Israeli' airstrikes and lead to the withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces operating in southern Syria.

Reuters reported earlier this week that Washington is pressing Damascus to reach a deal before world leaders gather in New York next week for the United Nations General Assembly.

President al-Sharaa, however, denied that the United States was exerting pressure on Syria, insisting Washington was acting in the role of a mediator.