Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Qatar, President Donald Trump offered unexpected praise for Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, after a brief meeting in Saudi Arabia. “Young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter,” Trump said, describing al-Sharaa. “He’s got a real shot at holding it together.”
Trump said Turkish President Erdoğan, a close regional player, also had confidence in al-Sharaa’s leadership. “He feels he’s got a shot of doing a good job. It’s a torn-up country,” Trump added.
"He's a young attractive guy. He's got a real shot at pulling it together"
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 14, 2025
While flying to Qatar, President Trump praises Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa following their meeting in Saudi Arabia earlier today
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Trump said he urged al-Sharaa to eventually join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel. “I told him: ‘I hope you’re going to join when it’s straightened out.’ He said: ‘Yes.’ But they have a lot of work to do.”
The remarks come amid Trump’s sweeping Middle East reset, including lifting sanctions on Syria and hosting high-profile regional talks.
