DONALD Trump yesterday hailed a former terrorist warlord as “a young, attractive guy”.
The maverick US President gushed with praise after meeting Ahmed al-Sharaa, who ousted Syrian tyrant Bashar al Assad last year.
Trump also agreed to lift US economic sanctions on Syria which have been in place since 2011.
Sharaa, previously linked to al-Qaeda, spent years in US custody after being captured in Iraq and once had a £7.5million bounty on his head.
Now interim Syrian president, he shook hands yesterday with Trump in Riyadh, along with Saudi Arabia’s leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also joined a meeting by video link, which Trump later said went “great”.
He described Sharaa as a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.”
However, this situation has created a conflict between Trump and Israel. Israel has been vocal in issuing warnings against the former terror leader and has maintained its military efforts against its historical adversary.
When questioned about the potential for normalized relations with Israel, Trump disclosed, “I conveyed to him, ‘I look forward to your participation once you have resolved your issues,’ and he confirmed his agreement. However, there are significant tasks ahead for them to accomplish.”
Trump also asked him to deport Palestinian militants and order foreign fighters to leave the country.
He also claimed he “wants to make a deal” with Iran.
Trump said: “It must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
He later touched down in Qatar, where he was given a red-carpet greeting from Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Trump is to be controversially offered a “gift” of a £300million “flying palace” to replace Air Force One as he carves more huge trade deals.
