Trump vows to do everything he can to help Syria succeed

Pledge follows landmark talks with Syrian leader previously sanctioned by Washington

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US President Donald Trump vowed on Nov 10 to do everything he can to make Syria successful after landmark talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda commander who until recently was sanctioned by Washington as a foreign terrorist.

Mr Sharaa's visit capped a stunning year for the rebel turned ruler who toppled longtime leader Bashar al-Assad and has since travelled the world trying to depict himself as a moderate leader who wants to unify and rebuild his war-ravaged country.

One of Mr Sharaa's chief aims in Washington was to push for full removal of the toughest US sanctions.

While he met Mr Trump behind closed doors, the US Treasury Department announced a 180-day extension of its suspension of enforcement of the so-called Caesar sanctions, but only the US Congress can lift them entirely.

Mr Trump met Mr Sharaa in the first-ever visit by a Syrian president to Washington, six months after their first meeting in Saudi Arabia, where the US leader announced plans to lift sanctions, and just days after the US said Mr Sharaa was no longer a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist".

In an unusually muted welcome, Mr Sharaa arrived without the fanfare normally given to visiting foreign dignitaries.

He entered through a side door where reporters got only a glimpse, instead of through the West Wing main door where cameras often capture Mr Trump greeting VIPs.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump praised Mr Sharaa as a "strong leader" and voiced confidence in him. “We'll do everything we can to make Syria successful,” he said.

But Mr Trump also gave a nod to Mr Sharaa’s controversial past, saying: “We've all had rough pasts.”

Mr Sharaa later told Fox News his association with the militant group was a matter of the past and was not discussed in his meeting with Mr Trump.