Tehran - BORNA - Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the President of Syria who is in Washington, stated in an interview with an American media outlet that his country has entered a new era following the fall of the "Bashar al-Assad" regime and will formulate a new strategy with the United States.
In an interview with Fox News, parts of which were published today (Tuesday), Al-Sharaa claimed that Syria had been isolated from the world for the past 60 years. He also said that his country had been distant and estranged from the United States.
The Syrian President also addressed negotiations with the Zionist regime, saying that his country will not enter into talks with Tel Aviv now, explaining that "Syria's situation is different from the countries that signed the Abraham Accords."
He emphasized: "We have borders with Israel, and they have occupied the Golan Heights. We will not enter into direct negotiations now. Perhaps the American government, under President Donald Trump, can help us reach this type of negotiation."
In the same interview, Al-Sharaa confirmed he is in contact with the mother of Austin Tice, the American journalist missing in Syria, and will make every effort to find any information about him and other missing persons.
The Syrian official also told Fox News that he discussed the future and the lifting of sanctions with the US President. He further added: "We also talked about investment opportunities in Syria so that it is not viewed as a security threat, but as a strategic ally."
In the interview, Al-Sharaa referred to relations with Moscow and the demand for the extradition of the former Syrian President, saying: "Russia participated in some way in the war against the Syrian people. Part of the negotiations with Russia focused on handing over wanted individuals, including al-Assad, but the Russians have a different view."
Ahmad Al-Sharaa, who is known as "Abu Mohammad al-Jolani," has a background as a member of Al-Qaeda, and was considered the leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, met with Trump at the White House on Monday. This was the first time a Syrian President had visited the White House since the establishment of the Syrian state in the 1940s.
Regarding the September 11 attacks and his connections with Al-Qaeda, Ahmad Al-Sharaa claimed: "I was only 19 years old, very young. And I had no decision-making power at that time. And Al-Qaeda was not present in my area at that time. So, you are talking to the wrong person about this topic. We mourn every civilian who was killed and we know that people suffer from war."
Following the meeting, the US President told reporters that he wants Syria to "succeed" after more than a decade of war, claiming that Al-Sharaa "is capable of achieving this goal."
He also posted a message saying: "It was an honor to spend time with Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the new President of Syria, and talk about all the complexities of peace in the Middle East, of which he is a strong proponent. I look forward to meeting and talking again. Everyone is talking about the great miracle happening in the Middle East. Having a stable and successful Syria is very important for all countries in the region."
Trump gifted Ahmad Al-Sharaa a "MAGA" hat, and the Syrian President said he would take the hat back to Syria with him.
Meanwhile, a senior US administration official said that the United States will allow Syria to reopen its embassy in Washington to coordinate economic, security, and counter-terrorism efforts.
The official told NBC News on Monday: "The United States will allow Syria to resume its embassy operations in Washington for better coordination in counter-terrorism, security, and the economy."
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