Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa departs White House after meeting Trump

According to Al Jazeera, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa left the White House after concluding his talks with US President Donald Trump.

This unprecedented meeting is the first between a Syrian president and his American counterpart at the White House since Syria's independence. Syria in 1946, reflecting a radical shift in relations after many years of isolation and comprehensive sanctions.

Just a year ago, al-Sharaa, then known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Washington delisted HTS from its roster of terrorist organizations in July.

Since taking power, the new Syrian leadership has sought to present a more moderate image to both ordinary Syrians and foreign powers.

The transitional president first met with Trump in Saudi Arabia during a regional tour the US president conducted in May.

Upon arriving in Washington, al-Sharaa met with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss the potential for aid to Syria following years of war, as well as with representatives from Syrian organizations.

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced earlier this month that al-Sharaa may sign an agreement on Monday to join the U.S.-led Global Coalition against Daesh.

The coalition militarily defeated Daesh in Syria in 2019 in cooperation with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who are currently negotiating integration with the Syrian Army.

A diplomatic source in Syria also informed Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the United States intends to establish a military base near Damascus simultaneously "to coordinate humanitarian aid and monitor developments between Syria and Israel."