US Rep. Joe Wilson and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday.
Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, is the ranking member of the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee. For many years, she has been a key figure in America’s policy regarding Syria and the Middle East. Leading a bipartisan delegation with Rep. Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, to Damascus, Shaheen met not only with the Syrian president but also with other Syrians.
Shaheen is the first member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee to visit the country since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack also accompanied the delegation, according to her committee’s statement.
“Ranking Member Shaheen, in her meeting with President Sharaa, discussed the progress that has been made on the security situation and other US priorities within Syria,” said the statement.
“The senator conveyed the importance of upholding the rights of Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds and inclusivity in the governance structures of Syria,” it continued, adding that Shaheen “discussed the senator’s bipartisan legislation that would lift the Assad-era Caesar Act sanctions against Syria.”
“Sharaa was joined by several of his ministers.”
The senator met with Syrian Social Affairs and Labor Minister Hind Kabawat to discuss issues such as reconstruction and economic progress.
In addition, Shaheen met with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces Gen. Mazloum Abdi. They discussed “the pathway to integrating the SDF into the Syrian Armed Forces.”
The senator said, “Today’s meeting with leaders from many faiths was a testament to the Syrian people’s common cause: a country free from violence where people of many backgrounds can work together toward a brighter future.
“A Syria that can stand on its own after ridding itself of the Assad regime will be a cornerstone for regional stability in the Middle East,” she said. “America is ready to be a partner to a new Syria that moves in the right direction. I will keep fighting for lasting peace and prosperity.”
As for Wilson, he has been a major supporter of the Syrian people for many years. He opposed the Assad regime and took an interest in developments in Syria.
When the regime fell, he was supportive of the transition. Wilson wrote on Monday that it was an honor to meet with Sharaa “to discuss a bright, unified, and stable future for Syria. This trip was significant for me, and I am grateful for the warm reception.”
“The time for FULL Caesar repeal is NOW. As a priority of President [Donald] Trump’s administration, I remain committed to this critical and bipartisan goal. #MakeSyriaGreatAgain,” he wrote on social media.
Wilson then traveled to Lebanon, where he joined US envoys Barrack and Morgan Ortagus in meetings with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Shaheen and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham also attended the meetings, illustrating the strong US engagement with Lebanon and Syria.
US Congress 'ready to support Trump in supporting Lebanon'
“There is a great opportunity for a stable and prosperous Lebanon in what is happening in the region, and President Trump has made clear that Lebanon’s future will be bright if the government follows through on its policy of disarming Hezbollah. Congress is ready to support President Trump in supporting Lebanon,” Wilson wrote.
Syria occupied Lebanon from 1976 to 2005, and Hezbollah backed the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war. Therefore, the two countries are closely linked.
The Shaheen-Wilson delegation to Damascus comes in the wake of several other essential meetings between Syria’s new president and US politicians.
Earlier in August, for instance, Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh of Arizona came to Israel and Syria. Notably, Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida and Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, in April, were the first US members of Congress to visit Syria.