Donald Trump to meet Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia: White House

US President Donald Trump is set to meet Syria's newly appointed leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa , during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, according to White House officials.

The meeting is a major development that comes after Sharaa’s rebel group overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December, reports Bloomberg.

The meeting with Trump is seen as a crucial step for Sharaa, who is seeking to convince the US to lift sanctions on Syria. The sanctions, which have heavily impacted the war-torn country’s economy, are a major barrier to the rebuilding efforts, and Sharaa hopes that this meeting will provide the leverage needed to secure US support.

This trip is part of Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE this week. He hopes to secure billions of dollars in investments from these countries while also promoting his role in peace-making and stabilising the region.

Saudi Arabia has long pushed the US to ease sanctions on Syria to help rebuild the country and ensure Syria remains within the Arab sphere of influence. This is particularly important after Iran’s influence diminished following the downfall of Assad.

In addition to Saudi support, Syrian Americans and figures close to the Trump administration have lobbied for an end to the sanctions, backing Sharaa’s push for a transition to a new leadership.

However, Sharaa’s past has raised concerns. He was once affiliated with al-Qaeda, and his followers include extreme Islamists, which has made both US and Israel cautious about the new administration’s direction.

The Syrian leader’s efforts were set back earlier this year when government loyalists attacked, killing hundreds of minority Alawites. This violence has made Sharaa’s push for international recognition more difficult.

Despite these challenges, Sharaa’s diplomatic efforts have continued. Last week, he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, marking his first trip outside the Middle East since taking office.