American media reported on Thursday that Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has requested a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The Wall Street Journal quoted Syrian officials as saying that the Syrian president is seeking to meet Trump to share his vision for reconstruction, similar to the Marshall Plan, named after former US Secretary of State George Marshall, through which he offered a program to rebuild Europe after World War II.
According to the American newspaper’s report, al-Sharaa’s reconstruction vision prioritizes American and Western companies over Chinese companies, as the “new Syria” seeks a strong strategic relationship with the US.
The report indicated that the Syrian president conveyed a message to the White House requesting a meeting during Trump’s visit to the Gulf states.
The Wall Street Journal quoted the US National Security Council as saying, “The behavior of the interim authority in Syria determines the future of our support and the possibility of easing sanctions.”
According to the report, Washington presented al-Sharaa’s government with a list of conditions that must be met before considering any sanctions relief.
The report noted that the Syrian president has begun a quiet campaign to win US support for rebuilding his country by arresting foreign militants and communicating with Israel through intermediaries.
It added that al-Sharaa also expressed his willingness to conclude deals allowing American oil and gas companies to conduct business in Syria.
