Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa's Washington trip marks the first visit by a Syrian head of state since 1946. Talks aim to have Damascus join the US-led coalition against IS and discuss lifting sanctions,
Euronews reports.
US President Donald Trump hosts Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday in the first visit by a Syrian head of state since independence in 1946, with Damascus expected to formally join the US-led coalition against the so-called Islamic State group.
"Part of the president's efforts in diplomacy to meet with anyone around the world in the pursuit of peace," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said of the visit.
The meeting follows their May encounter in Saudi Arabia, the first official US-Syria contact since Bill Clinton met Hafez Assad in 2000.
Trump described al-Sharaa after the Riyadh meeting as a "young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past, very strong past. Fighter." The US president recently said al-Sharaa is "doing a very good job so far" and that "a lot of progress has been made with Syria" since Washington eased sanctions.
The talks are expected to see Damascus officially join the US-led coalition against the IS, a move that will allow it to work more closely with US armed forces.
