‘Young, attractive man’: Donald Trump is full of praise for new former American nominated terrorist

US President Donald Trump met with Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Shra at Riyadh on Wednesday. The meeting between the two leaders marked the first such encounter among the heads of nations in 25 years. Organized on the occasion of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, the meeting was highly important, reflecting a major political change after the collapse of Assad rule during a major opposition in December 2024.Asked how Potus found the Syrian President, Trump told reporters that the meeting with Al-Shara was “great”. He further described him as a “young, attractive man, strict man”.Trump also said that Al-Shra has “strong past, very strong past girls. He got a real shot holding together.”The meeting is a major development that comes out after the rebel group of Shara uprooted the rule of Bashar al-Assad in December.Trump lifts Syrian sanctionsOn Tuesday, the United States announced that it would lift long -standing sanctions on Syria, a major policy change that could promote Syria’s war -torn economy and reopen power dynamics in the Middle East.Speaking on a commercial platform in Riyadh, Trump said, “Now it’s time for Syria to move forward with a chance with greatness.” His comments received a permanent ovation from the audience, including Elon Musk, OpenAII CEO Sam Altman and Blackrock’s Larry Fink.Saudi Arabia has pushed America to reduce restrictions to help the US rebuild Syria and keep it within the Arab world influence region. The move weakened after the fall of Bashar al-Assad after Iran’s role in Syria.Syrian Americans and people close to the Trump administration have also supported lifting of sanctions, supporting the call of interim President Ahmed al-Shara for the new leadership.However, Shara’s past has raised concerns. He was once associated with al-Qaeda, and some of his followers are extreme Islamists, cautioning both the US and Israel to the instructions of their government to take them.Historical meetingTrump’s meeting with Ahmed Al-Shra increased eyebrows globally due to the Syrian President’s past. Earlier Abu Mohammad was known as al-Golani, he was associated with al-Qaeda and fought against the US forces in Iraq, even spent years in American custody. His change in the head of the state from a terrorist leader has created concern in Washington and Tel Aviv, especially with apprehensions on extremist impacts in the new Syrian government.The meeting was despite a direct appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to maintain sanctions on Syria, underlining the increasing tension between the US and Israel. Israel is deeply concerned that Shara’s lead may open Syria as a launchpad for the same attacks as the October 2023 Hamas attack. The controversial decision to lift the sanctions came in the same way that Israel continued its war against Hamas in Gaza, increasing regional deformity.Trump’s move was seen by Gulf Arabian allies such as Saudi Arabia, who see al-shara as a possible imbalance to the Iranian influence in Syria. A closed-door meeting, which also participated through the phone by Turkish President Erdoan, indicated a dramatic change in the US policy. While Trump relieved restrictions as “chance to greatness” for Syria, critics are worried that it gives validity to a delicate and potentially dangerous new governance