Al‑Sharaa, Former Militant, Addresses U.N. Assembly

Ahmed al‑Sharaa, a onetime al‑Qaeda figure and former U.S. detainee who led Hayat Tahrir al‑Sham and helped topple Bashar al‑Assad in December 2024, has emerged as Syria’s interim president and addressed the U.N. General Assembly — the first Syrian head of state to do so since 1967. In a brief speech he urged lifting sanctions, sought justice for victims, called for dialogue including with Israel, and expressed solidarity with Gaza. Less than a year ago he had a U.S. bounty and remains officially designated a terrorist, even as he has sought to rebrand himself and his movement. He was interviewed in New York by retired Gen. David Petraeus, who once oversaw his detention, and some U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have offered cautious engagement. Gulf leaders stressed Syrian sovereignty and condemned repeated Israeli strikes, while critics warn that sectarian violence, alleged past abuses and questions about accountability mean his transformation may not end instability.