On Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump left Saudi Arabia, but not before Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended yet another remarkable gesture to the 47th president.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman accompanied President Trump and stayed on the tarmac until Trump boarded Air Force One. They exchanged waves, and Trump placed his hand over his heart while making a gesture.
On Wednesday, Trump held a meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the interim president of Syria, in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the remarkable turnaround in the circumstances of a former Islamist combatant linked to al Qaeda, who had a US government bounty on his head for several years.
Trump’s choice to engage with al-Sharaa, following similar meetings by other European leaders, could greatly enhance the new Syrian administration’s efforts to reconnect with the West. These ties have been severely impacted by stringent sanctions and hostility during and after the devastating civil war that erupted in 2011.
During a briefing regarding the meeting between the two leaders in Saudi Arabia, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump conveyed to the Syrian leader that he possesses a significant opportunity to achieve something historic in his nation, and encouraged him to collaborate with Saudi Arabia in endorsing the US-supported Abraham Accords to establish normalized relations with Israel.
The meeting followed Trump’s declaration during his visit to Saudi Arabia that his administration would remove U.S. sanctions on Syria “to provide them with an opportunity for greatness.”
The sanctions were harsh and debilitating, fulfilling a significant role at that time; however, it is now the moment for the Syrians to excel. I wish you well, Syria. Demonstrate something extraordinary, Trump stated during a speech on Tuesday.
In her statement on Wednesday, Leavitt remarked that President Erdogan expressed appreciation to President Trump for the removal of sanctions on Syria and pledged to collaborate with Saudi Arabia to promote peace and prosperity in the region. The Crown Prince also lauded President Trump for his courageous decision to lift the sanctions.
She stated that Al-Sharaa expressed gratitude to Mr. Trump, MBS, and Erdogan for their efforts in organizing the meeting, acknowledging the considerable opportunity arising from the departure of Iranians from Syria, as well as the mutual U.S.-Syrian interests in combating terrorism and eradicating chemical weapons.
On Tuesday morning, Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia, accompanied by an impressive escort of fighter jets traversing the nation’s airspace.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted Trump on the tarmac with a fist pump. He then escorted him along a purple carpet to a conference room, where the nation’s de facto leader conducted a coffee ceremony.
Trump was accompanied by members of his Cabinet, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The streets of the sweltering Saudi capital were decorated with American flags in anticipation of the visit, while digital billboards positioned along the route this week promoted the newly unveiled Disney Abu Dhabi theme park located in the neighboring United Arab Emirates.
On Tuesday, Trump has a packed agenda that features a speech at an investment roundtable attended by prominent figures in the technology sector, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, which will be succeeded by a state dinner.
Trump’s visit to three Middle Eastern nations, including Qatar and the UAE, aims to promote investment opportunities for the United States.
During his 17th week in office, Trump will focus on preparations for his inaugural significant overseas visit of the second term to the Middle East.
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