US President Donald Trump was set to meet Syria’s president in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following a surprise announcement that the United States would lift all sanctions on the Syrian government despite lingering concerns about its leaders’ former ties to al-Qaeda.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, despite concerns within sectors of his administration, Trump said on Tuesday during a speech in Riyadh he would lift sanctions on Syria. The US president has agreed to meet with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who will be in Riyadh for meetings with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

US ally Israel has opposed sanctions relief for Syria, but Trump on Tuesday said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who are both close to the US president, encouraged him to make the move.