The sanctions were really crippling,” President Trump said, before he traveled to Qatar, where he was given a lavish welcome.

President Trump says he will move to normalize relations and lift sanctions on Syria's new government to give the country "a chance at peace."

P resident Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, May 13, that he plans to end the U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria, which have been in place for over 45 years. Announcing the news on the first day of his Middle East tour, during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump said he would be lifting sanctions “in order to give them [Syria] greatness.”

The day began with pomp in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and ended in Qatar after the U.S. leader was greeted with camels and sped to what he said was a “perfecto” marble palace.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump met with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the first encounter between the two nations’ leaders in 25 years and one that could mark a turning point for Syria as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation.

President Trump met with Syrian interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa and urged him to expel 'Palestinian terrorists' from the country and sign on to the historic Abraham Accords.

Trump signs $200bn Qatar deal after hailing meeting with Syria’s ‘young, attractive’ president: Live updates - Donald Trump said ending sanctions on Syria would give the country a ‘chance for greatnes

President Trump is planning to meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday, according to two sources familiar with the plan. Why it matters: The extraordinary talks with al-Sharaa — who remains on the U.

U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Syria's president in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, following a surprise announcement that the United States would lift all sanctions on the Islamist-led government despite lingering concerns about its leaders' former ties to Al Qaeda.