Newsletters
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in New York on Sunday for what state media called a “historic visit” to attend the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first time a Syrian head of state has taken part in the annual gathering since 1967, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
Al-Sharaa is leading a delegation that includes several ministers and senior officials for high-level meetings at the U.N. headquarters, SANA reported.
https://x.com/SANAEnOfficial/status/1969891078527480134
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Syrian Presidency said al-Sharaa met with a group of Syrian expatriates in the United States, thanking them for their efforts and stressing what he called their role in “conveying the true image of the Syrian Arab Republic.”
The visit follows al-Sharaa’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia in May, a development that bolstered his international recognition.
After that meeting, Washington lifted several sanctions imposed during the rule of Bashar al-Assad, but the sweeping restrictions enacted under the 2019 Caesar Act remain in place, as lifting them requires congressional approval.
During his New York trip, al-Sharaa is expected to press for expanded sanctions exemptions to support Syria’s post-war reconstruction efforts.
Analysts also say he may use the platform to advance ongoing security talks with Israel.
https://x.com/SANAEnOfficial/status/1970003703009775625
In his meeting with Syrian expatriates, al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of the diaspora in shaping global perceptions of Syria and expressed his gratitude for what he described as their “sincere efforts in serving their homeland.”
3 min read
