- Donald Trump met with syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda fighter, marking the first meeting between US and syrian leaders in 25 years.
- Trump praised al-Sharaa, lifted US sanctions on Syria, and encouraged normalized relations with Israel.
- Al-Sharaa became Syria's interim president after his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted the Assad regime.
- Al-Sharaa's past includes fighting US forces in Iraq and leading the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
- Despite his past, al-Sharaa has pledged an inclusive government and distanced himself from al-Qaeda.
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