Washington: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Washington on Thursday for the first official visit to the US in 25 years, local media said. The state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV, citing foreign ministry sources, reported that Shaibani and his delegation arrived in Washington for what was termed 'a historic official visit.'

According to Anadolu Agency, the Syrian minister is set to engage in discussions with US senators, focusing on the permanent lifting of the Caesar sanctions on Syria. These sanctions, part of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, were signed into law by then-US President Donald Trump in 2019 and implemented in June 2020. The legislation expanded sanctions on the Bashar al-Assad regime to isolate it from the international community due to its war crimes against civilians.

There was no immediate comment from the US regarding Shaibani's visit. The visit comes after significant political changes in Syria, where Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in late 2024. This event marked the end of the Baath Party's decades-long rule, which began in 1963. A new transitional administration, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, was established in Syria in January following Assad's departure.