WASHINGTON — Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited the White House this week in what US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, described as a “historic visit.” Barrack, who accompanied al-Sharaa to the White House, issued a statement today, emphasizing the visit marks a decisive turning point in the modern history of the Middle East and a significant shift for Syria from isolation to partnership. He praised al-Sharaa’s commitment to joining the international coalition against terrorism adding that, “Damascus will now actively assist us in confronting and dismantling the remnants of ISIS, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist networks, and will remain a committed partner in global efforts to ensure peace.”
In concluding his statement, Barrack appealed to Congress to take steps to empower the new Syrian government to restart its economy and to enable the Syrian people and their regional neighbors not only to survive but to thrive. President Donald Trump has indicated his intention to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria on 13 May 2026.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed America’s desire to give the Syrian government a chance to succeed, so the country is not dragged into a new civil war. He emphasized that the Syrian government would represent all Syrians. Rubio added, “What Syrians want is to establish a national government that represents all elements of society and in which they feel safe. Syrians do not want their country to be a platform for launching attacks against others.”
Syriac Union Party: an opportunity for national dialogue
Afram Ishak, Public Relations Officer of the Syriac Union Party (Gabo d’Ḥuyodo Suryoyo, SUP), welcomed al-Sharaa’s visit. He stated to SyriacPress; “We welcome Mr. Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington and consider it a positive step toward strengthening relations between Syria and the United States, as well as enhancing joint efforts to achieve stability. After years of Syria’s isolation from the international community, the country had lost its standing among nations. Today, the opening of the international community toward Syria will serve the interests of the Syrian people and government.”
Ishak added that the former regime squandered years of the Syrian people’s lives by deceiving them under the pretext of resistance, while in reality it ruled oppressively and persecuted its citizens, using repression and imprisonment as tools to silence free Syrians.
The SUP also welcomed Syria’s agreement to join the international coalition against terrorism, describing it as a step that places Syria alongside the international community. Ishak noted that this move will have a positive impact on Syria and its people, enhancing opportunities for reconstruction and stability, opening the door to security, and strengthening social cohesion among Syria’s diverse communities. He emphasized that this creates an opportunity for the Syrian government to launch a national dialogue, secure the rights of all indigenous components of Syrian society, and resolve the accumulated conflicts—most of which were created by the former Baath regime through a divide-and-rule policy.
Today, Afram Ishak added, everyone is called upon to work toward building the nation under a constitution that guarantees the rights of all Syrian citizens.
Levantine National Council: “a seed of hope”
Waddah Khoury, President of the Levantine National Council (LNC), announced in a statement on the Council’s Facebook page that Syria’s agreement to the international coalition is not merely a signing of a document, but a declaration of the return of Syrian diplomacy with strength to address critical issues. The LNC described this step as a strategic decision that serves the interests of security and stability not only for Syria but for the entire region.
Khoury emphasized that this positive initiative requires care and attention from all parties, as it is a seed of hope that must be nurtured through trust, cooperation, and fulfilment of commitments. In his statement, he called for turning this agreement into a package of practical projects and tangible policies that serve Syrian citizens first and foremost, while enhancing opportunities for peace and development.
The Levantine National Council concluded its statement by congratulating the Syrian people on what it described as a “bold” step, expressing hope for a brighter future in which security and stability prevail in Syria, and thanking the U.S. administration for the wisdom of its decision and its strategic vision.