Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa awaits the arrival of the Spanish Foreign Minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on Jan. 16, 2025. (Credit: AFP)
Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa congratulated American President Donald Trump after his inauguration on Monday, seeing him as "the leader who will bring peace to the Middle East."
"I congratulate Mr. Donald J. Trump," wrote Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa in a statement, considering his election "a testament to the confidence the American people have in his leadership."
"We are confident that he will be the leader who will bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability in the region," he added.
"We look forward to improving relations between our two countries based on dialogue and understanding," continued Sharaa, expressing hope for "a partnership that reflects the aspirations of both nations."
Since coming to power, the new Syrian government has been pressing for the Western-imposed sanctions on the Assad regime to be lifted. However, some countries remain hesitant and wish to see how the new authorities will behave regarding human rights.
A rebel coalition led by the radical Sunni Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), of which Sharaa is the leader, ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December in a swift offensive following 13 years of civil war.
About 2,000 American military personnel, according to the Pentagon, are deployed in northern Syria within an international coalition against jihadists.
The United States also supports the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group. Turkey, which views the SDF as a terrorist organization, hopes the new Trump administration will end this support and withdraw American troops from Syria.
