Syrian self-proclaimed President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with U.S. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City. The meeting, reported by Anadolu Agency, marks a significant diplomatic engagement since al-Sharaa’s rise to power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Rubio, in his role as Foreign Minister under President Donald Trump, expressed appreciation for Syria’s counterterrorism efforts and discussed the importance of Israel-Syria relations in achieving regional security.

Al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda insurgent who fought against U.S. forces in Iraq and served time in Abu Ghraib prison, has sought international legitimacy since breaking ties with al-Qaeda in 2016. His administration, formed in January 2025, has focused on governance and protecting minorities, but reports of human rights abuses by rebel forces have raised concerns. During the meeting, Rubio and al-Sharaa exchanged views on ongoing counterterrorism efforts, the search for missing Americans, and the role of Israel-Syria relations in stabilizing the region.