U.S. Congressmen meet Syrian transitional president in Damascus
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Two U.S. Congressmen held on Friday talks with Syria’s Transitional President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, during a visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus.
Representatives Cory Mills of Florida and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana – both are members of the Republican Party – arrived in Damascus as part of a rare and unannounced visit.
A member of the American delegation stated that Rep. Cory Mills met with President al-Sharaa for a 90-minute discussion focused on U.S. sanctions and the role of Iran in the region.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman is scheduled to meet with President al-Sharaa on Saturday.
Asked about meeting a leader still sanctioned by Washington, Stutzman cited examples of Trump’s administration engaging with Iranian and North Korean leaders, according to Reuters.
“We shouldn’t be afraid to talk to anybody,” he said, and said he was eager to see how Syria would deal with foreign fighters and rule the country’s diverse population inclusively.
“There’s an opportunity here – these opportunities come around once in a lifetime,” Stutzman told Reuters. “I don’t want Syria pushed into the arms of China, or back into the arms of Russia and Iran.”