Syria’s Sharaa in New York Renews Call for US to Formally Drop Sanctions
Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda leader, led rebel forces that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s government last year. During the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, he renewed his call for the United States to formally drop sanctions on Syria.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seen shaking hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on September 22, 2025.
Photo credit: REUTERS/BING GUAN/POOL