New York: At a summit held alongside the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed optimism about security discussions with Israel but voiced skepticism regarding Syria's potential participation in the Abraham Accords. The Accords, which have seen three Arab nations normalize relations with Israel, were met with caution by Sharaa, who questioned Israel's intentions in the region.

According to France24.com, Sharaa, who led the forces that overthrew former leader Bashar al-Assad, is hopeful about reaching military and security agreements with Israel by the year's end. Despite these discussions, Sharaa expressed distrust towards Israel, highlighting concerns about its expansionist goals in Syria and citing past violations of peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. The ongoing conflict in Gaza also plays a significant role in shaping Syria's stance on Israel, Sharaa noted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated a new opportunity for peace with Syria and Lebanon following a recent military campaign against Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Sharaa's meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York remained silent, with no statements issued during their photo session.

In addition to security talks, Sharaa reiterated his call for the US to lift sanctions imposed by the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. While President Donald Trump had previously relaxed some sanctions, the legislation remains intact. Sharaa urged the US Congress to fully remove these sanctions, arguing they disproportionately affect the Syrian populace and hinder economic reconstruction efforts. In a discussion with retired General David Petraeus, Sharaa emphasized the Syrian workforce's potential and the positive impact of lifting sanctions on the economy.