12 September 2025
Ahmed Al-Sharaa will address the UN’s General Assembly in New York, with meetings planned with Trump and Erdogan in a landmark US visit
Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will take part in the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, becoming the first Syrian leader to do so since 1967, the Syrian official SANA news agency reported on Sunday.
Sharaa will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s new permanent representative to the UN Ibrahim Olabi, and a high-level diplomatic delegation.
Al-Sharaa is also expected to meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 80th General Assembly session, as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at New York’s “Turkish House”.
Syrian sources described the visit as a “historic turning point” in Syria’s relations with the US and other countries, pointing to intensive Saudi and Turkish diplomatic efforts to back Sharaa’s government at the UN.
Diplomatic sources told Independent Arabia that the US decision to issue visas to Sharaa and his delegation was made after weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions involving American, Turkish and Saudi officials.
The visit is scheduled to run from 21 to 25 September, with the Syrian president set to address the UN General Assembly on the 24th of the month.
The Associated Press reported last week that an internal US State Department memorandum confirmed an exemption for the Syrian delegation from longstanding restrictions on Syrian officials.
Source: thenewarab
