Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in the US capital on Saturday, ahead of the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the White House, scheduled for Monday. The trip follows Syria’s participation in the UN Climate Conference COP30 and the removal of Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from US, UK, EU and UN terror listings.
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said President Donald Trump will meet Sharaa on Monday to discuss lifting the remaining sanctions on Syria, reconstruction efforts and cooperation against terrorism. “This meeting represents a new phase in American-Syrian relations,” Leavitt said in a briefing Tuesday.
The Washington Examiner reported Sunday that Trump “admires Sharaa’s past as a fighter” and views him as capable of “taking Syria out of Tehran’s orbit.” The paper added that the administration worked to repeal the Caesar Act ahead of the visit, describing a shift toward “a productive working partnership” between the two nations.
Engagement With the Syrian Diaspora
Before his White House meeting, Sharaa met Sunday with dozens of representatives of Syrian organizations in Washington, DC. The president emphasized the importance of humanitarian and social work carried out by Syrians abroad, urging participants to “strengthen their sense of belonging to their homeland.”
“Syrians inside and outside the country must join efforts to rebuild it,” Sharaa said. “The sanctions are in their final stages, and we must continue working until they are completely lifted.” Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who attended the meeting, said 2026 would be “the year of development in Syria,” noting that the government plans to link diaspora organizations to reconstruction projects.
Economic and Diplomatic Signals
Sharaa also met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss potential cooperation aimed at promoting Syria’s economic recovery. The meeting was confirmed by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), which reported that discussions focused on “enhancing development and driving progress in the country.”
Syrian-American communities have played an active role in recent weeks, hosting events in Indiana and Michigan to promote stronger bilateral relations. The Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity said in a Facebook statement that these meetings were intended to “build bridges of understanding and partnership between the two countries.”
Public Reception and Symbolism
The organizing committee of the Syrian community in the US announced a rally for Monday in Lafayette Square, opposite the White House, to welcome the visiting president. Organizers said the gathering aims to celebrate the first-ever visit of a Syrian leader to the White House and advocate for the full repeal of the Caesar Act.
Hamid Imam, a member of the committee, urged participants “to raise only Syrian and American flags” to emphasize unity and avoid partisan slogans. For many Syrians in the US, Sharaa’s visit symbolizes the reopening of dialogue after decades of isolation. As the president put it during his Washington meetings, “The opportunity available to Syrians today is a rare opportunity that must be seized.”
