New York: At a summit in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed hope for security talks with Israel while voicing skepticism about joining the Abraham Accords. The accords, which have seen three Arab nations normalize relations with Israel, do not yet have Syria's participation due to concerns about Israel's regional intentions.
According to France24.com, Sharaa—a former al Qaeda leader who led the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December—expressed hope for a security deal with Israel aimed at easing tensions. However, he downplayed the likelihood of formal recognition, citing distrust and accusations that Israel has violated peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. The Syrian leader is scheduled to deliver the first address by a Syrian leader to the UN General Assembly in decades.
Syrian officials aim to reach military and security agreements with Israel by year-end, despite historical hostilities. Sharaa raised concerns about Israel's intentions in Syria and the broader regional impact, citing global outrage over the situation in Gaza as a factor influencing Syria's stance on Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested a new opportunity for peace with Syria and Lebanon following an Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Sharaa met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York, though neither spoke publicly during their meeting.
At the summit, Sharaa reiterated his call for the US to lift sanctions imposed under the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. He praised former President Donald Trump's decision to lift most sanctions after advice from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, despite Israeli concerns. Sharaa urged the US Congress to remove remaining sanctions, which he argued unfairly target the Syrian populace.
In an interview with retired General David Petraeus, Sharaa emphasized Syria's readiness to rebuild its economy if sanctions are lifted. He highlighted the Syrian workforce's eagerness to work and contribute to economic development, urging a reconsideration of the sanctions' impact.