Trump  hails President al-Sharaa as ‘attractive guy, fighter’ and a ‘real leader; says easing of sanctions will give Syrians a ‘chance for greatness’

US President Donald Trump met with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the first encounter between the two nations' leaders in 25 years and one that could mark a turning point for Syria as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation.

The meeting, on the sidelines of Trump's get-together with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, marks a major turn of events for a Syria still adjusting to life after the over 50-year, iron-gripped rule of the Assad family, and for its new leader, who once had a $10 million US bounty for his arrest.

Trump praised al-Sharaa to reporters after the meeting on Air Force One, saying he was a "young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter".

"He's got a real shot at holding it together," Trump said. "He's a real leader. He led a charge, and he's pretty amazing."

Trump had announced the day before as he kicked off his Middle East tour in Riyadh that he would also move to lift US sanctions imposed on Syria under the deposed autocrat Bashar Assad.

People across Syria cheered in the streets and set off fireworks on Tuesday night to celebrate, hopeful their nation - locked out of credit cards and global finance - might rejoin the world's economy when they need investments the most.

The meeting came even after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier asked Trump not to lift sanctions on Syria. 

I am "ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start," Trump told the Gulf Cooperation Council after his meeting with al-Sharaa. "It gives them a chance for greatness. The sanctions were really crippling, very powerful."

Qatar deals 

Trump later flew in to Qatar where he signed several agreements with the gulf nation’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that will "generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion," the White House said. 

The agreements include a $96 billion deal with Qatar Airways to buy up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X airplanes with GE Aerospace engines, it said. 

Sharaa's path: From jihadist to head of state

Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa joined al-Qaida in Iraq during 2003 US-led invasion

Cut ties with al-Qaida in 2016

Spent years in US jail in Iraq before returning to Syria

Joined the fight against Bashar al-Assad

Was known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani as commander of Nusra Front, an insurgent group fighting Assad

Sharaa took power after his Islamist fighters toppled Assad in December 2024

His priorities include reuniting Syria, reviving economy choked by sanctions and bringing arms under state authority

Has secured backing from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar

But Israel maintains Sharaa is still a jihadist

‘Iran must stop backing proxy terror outfits’

President Trump told Gulf leaders on Wednesday he urgently wants "to make a deal" with Iran to wind down its nuclear programme but Tehran must end its support of proxy groups throughout the region as part of any potential agreement.

Iran "must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease pursuit of nuclear weapons", Trump said in remarks at a meeting of leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "They cannot have a nuclear weapon." The US and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks focused on Iran's nuclear programme. Trump has repeatedly said that he believes brokering a deal is possible but that the window is closing.