New Delhi, May 14 -- US President Donald Trump became the first American leader in 25 years to meet a Syrian head of state, holding talks with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh. The meeting marked a historic thaw in US-Syria relations, as Trump announced the lifting of crippling sanctions imposed during the Assad regime.

Describing al-Sharaa as a "tough guy" and a "fighter with a strong past," Trump said the move was aimed at giving Syria "a chance at greatness" after years of war and isolation. "It's their time to shine," Trump declared, as he urged the new Syrian leadership to embrace reforms and normalize ties with Israel.

"You have a tremendous opportunity to do something historic," Trump told al-Sharaa, urging him to refo...