The lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria dominated the discussions held by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during their visit to New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Al-Sharaa met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss what Rubio described as “ongoing efforts” to achieve security and prosperity for all Syrians.
In a post on X on September 22, Rubio said he discussed with the Syrian president their “shared goals for a stable and sovereign Syria.”
Al-Sharaa and Rubio also discussed the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s “historic” declaration on easing sanctions, as well as “the importance of Syrian-Israeli relations,” according to Rubio.
The US State Department said in a statement posted on X on the evening of September 22 that during the meeting, the Secretary of State affirmed the opportunity to “build a stable and sovereign state” in Syria following Trump’s announcement on easing sanctions, though he did not address the remaining sanctions.
Tommy Pigott, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, added in the statement that the two discussed “ongoing counterterrorism efforts, efforts to locate missing Americans, and the importance of Syrian-Israeli relations in achieving greater regional security.”
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani wrote on X on September 23 that he had met with his American counterpart and discussed ways to strengthen Syrian-American relations.
According to al-Shibani, both sides affirmed “the need to lift sanctions and support the Syrian government in the stage of reconstruction and development.” They also explored prospects for “strategic cooperation” in political, security, and economic fields, and ways to develop a balanced relationship that serves the interests of the Syrian people and contributes to stability and prosperity in Syria and the region.
Commenting on al-Shibani’s meeting with Rubio, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said he joined the Secretary of State in “an important dialogue” with the Syrian foreign minister. He added, “We affirmed during the meeting the US commitment to supporting a path leading to peace and stability in Syria.”
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meets with his American counterpart Marco Rubio, September 23, 2025 (Syrian Foreign Ministry/X)
“A chance for life”
President al-Sharaa renewed his call for lifting sanctions on Syria during his participation in the Concordia Summit in New York on September 22. He said the continuation of sanctions was “another attempt to kill the Syrian people,” stressing that “Syria needs a new chance at life.”
He added that while US President Donald Trump had lifted sanctions, Congress must do more to remove them permanently.
Al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria’s current priority is to achieve security and stability through uniting the Syrian people and territory, and strengthening economic development.
Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister al-Shibani also met with US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, with discussions focusing on issues that “serve the Syrian people and strengthen Syrian-American relations,” chiefly lifting sanctions and repealing the Caesar Act, to allow for economic recovery and counterterrorism, according to a post by al-Shibani on X.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets US Senator Jeanne Shaheen in New York, September 22, 2025 (Syrian Presidency)
In May 2025, the United States officially lifted economic sanctions on Syria, marking a shift in American policy after the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad. The move opened the door for new investments in the war-ravaged country.
On May 13, President Donald Trump announced his decision to lift sanctions, saying at the Saudi-American Investment Forum, “It’s time to give Syria a chance, and I wish it good luck.”
Al-Sharaa in the United States
President al-Sharaa arrived in the United States on September 21 to attend the UN General Assembly.
According to the presidential media office, al-Sharaa’s visit marks the first time in 60 years that a Syrian president has attended the assembly, since former president Nureddin al-Atassi in 1967. He is also the first Syrian president ever to take part in the High-Level Week of the assembly, held between September 22 and 30.
The General Assembly’s agenda includes discussions on international issues and recommendations, approving the UN budget, electing non-permanent members of the Security Council, and appointing the Secretary-General upon the Council’s recommendation.
Its mandate also includes promoting cooperation in peace and security, human rights, and economic and social development, as well as making recommendations for conflict resolution.
Al-Sharaa is expected to deliver a speech at the General Assembly and hold several side meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
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