Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi, affirmed that lifting the diplomatic ban on the Syrian embassy in Washington marks a historic milestone in Syrian-American relations.
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered an official letter to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani during the ministerial meeting, granting permission to reopen the Syrian embassy in Washington whenever the Syrian side wishes, following the removal of legal and diplomatic barriers imposed during the previous regime, Olabi stated in an interview with Syrian Al-Ikhbariya TV Monday.
Olabi explained that the meeting between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House was both practical and cordial, lasting longer than scheduled due to the numerous topics discussed. It later expanded into a broader session with the participation of the Syrian Foreign Minister and several other ministers. He described the meeting as historic by all standards.
He noted that President al-Sharaa is the first Syrian president to visit the White House in modern Syrian history. He added that the meeting represents a qualitative leap in bilateral relations, at a time when many countries require years to achieve such a diplomatic breakthrough.
Olabi clarified that the bilateral meeting prioritized economic issues, including the role of the United States in direct investments, as well as the lifting of remaining sanctions.
The Syrian UN envoy stated that the meeting also addressed the security agreement with Israel and the U.S. role in supporting it to ensure the safety of Syrians and provide opportunities for reconstruction. It also covered the implementation of the March 10 agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the integration process, and Syria’s accession to the international coalition against terrorism.
He concluded by affirming that President al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House has written a new chapter in Syrian-American relations and marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation. He noted that Syrians have every right to celebrate this achievement, which was made possible by their resilience and support for their leadership.
MHD Ibrahim
