Syrian President Breaks Ice with Historic White House Visit

According to sources, the Syrian president's visit marked a significant step in normalizing relations between the United States and Syria, a country that had been considered a pariah state in the past. "This visit is a testament to the progress we've made in our efforts to defeat ISIS and stabilize the region," said a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We're committed to working with our international partners to achieve a lasting peace in Syria." The meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa was seen as a significant development in the region, where the Syrian civil war has raged for years. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions more. The U.S. has been a key player in the international response to the crisis, providing military support to anti-Assad forces and humanitarian aid to refugees. The Syrian government has been criticized for its human rights record and its role in the conflict, but al-Sharaa's visit to the White House was seen as a recognition of the country's efforts to combat terrorism. "We welcome President al-Sharaa's commitment to fighting terrorism and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria," said a State Department official. "We believe that this visit is an important step towards normalizing relations between our two countries." The visit also marked a shift in U.S. policy towards Syria, which had been focused on regime change and the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. However, with the defeat of ISIS and the stabilization of the region, the U.S. has begun to focus on a more pragmatic approach to the conflict, one that includes working with the Syrian government to achieve a lasting peace. As the meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa came to a close, the Syrian president emerged from the White House and greeted a throng of supporters gathered outside. He then boarded his motorcade and departed the White House, marking the end of a historic visit that is likely to have significant implications for the region.