During his visit, Al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump tomorrow, Monday, at the White House, according to Syrian news agency SANA. This visit marks the first of its kind by a Syrian president to Washington since Syria’s independence in 1946, and the second visit by Ahmed Al-Sharaa to America, following his participation in the UN General Assembly meetings in New York in September 2025.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani confirmed during his participation in the ‘Manama Dialogue’ forum in Bahrain last week that Ahmed Al-Sharaa would visit Washington in November, describing the visit as a ‘historic event’ that opens a new phase in relations between Damascus and Washington. Al-Shibani explained that Al-Sharaa and Trump’s discussions will address several vital issues, most notably the lifting of sanctions on Syria, reconstruction efforts, and ways to achieve internal stability, according to SANA.
The two sides are also expected to discuss the future of foreign presence in Syria, the detainee issue in the northeast of the country, minority rights issues, and the peace process with Israel. The US special envoy to Syria, Tom Brack, previously praised Ahmed Al-Sharaa and his government’s performance, considering them to be ‘moving in the right direction.’
The visit of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to Washington comes after the US announced the removal of his name and that of his Interior Minister, Anas Khattab, from sanction and terrorism lists, a step seen as paving the way for a gradual normalization of relations. Earlier on Friday, ahead of his visit to Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump, the US Treasury’s website reported the removal of Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab’s name from the US sanctions list.
Additionally, last Thursday, sanctions imposed on the Syrian president were lifted. Fourteen council members, including Russia, voted in favor of the decision, with none opposing. Only China abstained from voting.
