Al-Sharaa to Visit Washington Soon to Discuss Syria’s Future and Regional Relations

U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barak announced on Saturday that an upcoming visit by Syria’s Transitional Government Prime Minister, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to the U.S. capital, Washington, will take place soon as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at exploring ways to enhance security cooperation and discuss the future of relations between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the “Manama Dialogue” forum in Bahrain, Barak said: “We hope during the visit that Syria will join the U.S.-led coalition to defeat ISIS,” according to Reuters.

The American newspaper Axios indicated that the administration of President Donald Trump is seeking to reach a security agreement between Israel and Syria before the end of this year, with another round of negotiations expected following al-Sharaa’s anticipated visit to Washington.

Al-Sharaa had met with U.S. President Donald Trump last May in Riyadh, in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first meeting between the two countries’ leaders in more than 25 years. The two leaders met again last September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.

These moves come amid intensive U.S. efforts to reintegrate Syria into the regional and international system. Washington is working to lift the remaining sanctions imposed under the “Caesar Act” as part of the “National Defense Authorization Act” currently under discussion in Congress.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State affirmed that the Trump administration “welcomes any investment or engagement in Syria that helps provide opportunities for all Syrians to build a nation of peace and prosperity.”

Diplomatic sources indicated that Washington is betting on al-Sharaa’s government as a key element in its new Middle East strategy, aimed at achieving lasting stability and ending the repercussions of the Syrian war that has lasted for more than a decade.