In this photo released by the Syrian Presidency press office, President Donald Trump, right, speaks with Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa, at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Syrian Presidency press office via AP)

US President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House on Monday, the first such visit by a Syrian leader since the country’s independence from France in 1946.

Al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda commander once branded a terrorist by Washington and the subject of a $10 million US bounty. The meeting coincided with Washington’s decision to extend its suspension of sanctions on Syria for another 180 days.

A viral video from the visit captured an unusually light exchange between the two leaders. Trump is seen presenting Al-Sharaa wi

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