Syrian president breaks country’s decadeslong boycott of UN meeting

    By
    Emily Hallas
    -
    Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.
    Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (Bing Guan/Pool Photo via AP)

    President Ahmed al Sharaa is set to become the first Syrian leader to represent his country at the U.N. General Assembly in nearly 60 years.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Sharaa in Manhattan ahead of the General Assembly meeting. The last time a Syrian head of state attended the General Assembly was in 1967.

    Syria’s move to expand diplomatic engagement comes as Sharaa has sought to revive ties with the West after coming to power in December. For decades prior, the Assad family dynasty ruled Syria, isolating the country from Western influence. Sharaa has long been on the U.S.’s radar because of his ties to al Qaeda. Trump met with him in May during a trip to the Middle East.