DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has left for the United States, state media reported Sunday, on a historic visit that will have the former jihadist speak at the United Nations General Assembly.
State television reported that Sharaa was traveling “to the United States of America to take part in the activities of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York”, quoting a presidency statement.
Sharaa took control in December after his Islamist bloc headed a coalition that overthrew longtime leader Bashar al-Assad following almost 14 years of civil war and over half a century of ruthless Assad dynasty rule.
He will address the UN General Assembly in New York, the first Syrian leader to do so since Nureddin al-Atassi in 1967.
Sharaa has had a radical makeover since coming to power, hosting foreign leaders such as US President Donald Trump in Riyadh and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first visit to the West.
The Syrian leader is still under UN sanctions, and a travel ban owing to his background as a jihadist and has to seek exemptions for any foreign travels.
His foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, is already present in Washington for an official visit.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa en route to US: state media
Shaibani’s office said he held a series of meetings since his arrival, including with US senators and state department officials.
He also met with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, as the international community presses Syria’s new authorities to protect minorities in the multi-confessional country, which has seen sectarian bloodshed in recent months.
A foreign ministry official had said Shaibani’s trip aimed to discuss ongoing negotiations with Israel and the lifting of remaining US sanctions on Syria.
Syria and Israel remain technically at war, but opened direct negotiations after Assad’s ouster, and Syrian and Israeli officials have met on several occasions.
The United States already lifted most sanctions it imposed on Syria during Assad’s rule after his overthrow.
The Syrian foreign ministry official had stated Syria hoped to finalize security and military understandings with Israel this year, a breakthrough.
Israel has insisted on a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.
Sharaa last week stated Syria was negotiating with Israel to sign a security understanding under which Israel would withdraw from the territories it took in recent months.
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