The extraordinary encounter, unthinkable just months ago, was short but significant. "I think he has got the potential," Trump remarked after his meeting in Riyadh, 37 minutes long, with the former Syrian fighter formerly linked to al-Qaeda. Trump acknowledged it was these two leaders who had convinced him to also lift the US's punishing Syria sanctions. Since assuming power in December, Sharaa has been wearing Western business suits and trying to present himself as a president for all Syrians. Reuters The meeting took place on the second day of Trump's four-day tour of the Gulf