Former Al Qaeda leader and current Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attended the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where he called for the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria. Sharaa, who led the rebel forces that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s government, argued that the sanctions are now directly harming the Syrian people and hindering economic reconstruction.
Key Details from Sharaa’s UNGA Appearance
- Sanctions Appeal: Sharaa specifically urged the U.S. to lift the sanctions imposed under the Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act of 2019, which remains U.S. law despite President Trump ordering most sanctions lifted. He stated that lifting the sanctions would allow the Syrian people to rebuild their economy and that Syrians have a natural inclination for hard work.
- Congressional Debate: There is an ongoing debate in the U.S. Congress about whether to repeal the Caesar Act. Some lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties are pushing to include its repeal as an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act, a major defense bill expected to pass by the end of December.
- Security Talks with Israel: Washington has also been pressuring Syria to reach a security deal with Israel during the UNGA meetings. Sharaa confirmed that these talks are at an advanced stage and expressed hope that the outcome would respect Syria’s sovereignty while also addressing Israel’s security concerns.
- Historic Address: Sharaa’s address at the UNGA will be the first by a Syrian president since 1967. His participation marks a significant shift in Syria’s international standing following the recent change in government.
This situation reflects the complex diplomatic efforts to normalize relations with Syria’s new leadership, despite the legal and political challenges posed by existing U.S. laws and ongoing regional security concerns.
