DAMASCUS, Jan 21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa congratulated US President Donald Trump on his Monday inauguration, saying the American would "bring peace to the Middle East".

"We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region," Sharaa's administration said in a statement.

"We look forward to improving the relations between our two countries based on dialogue and understanding."

Sharaa's Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led the rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad on December 8.

Syria's new leaders are seeking financial support to help rebuild the country after more than 13 years of devastating conflict.

Sharaa's transitional government has been lobbying to have the sanctions that were imposed by Western countries on Assad's administration lifted.

But some governments have been hesitant, wanting time to see how the new authorities exercise their power.

The United States and European countries, as well as Syria's neighbours, have emphasised the need for the new rulers to combat "terrorism and extremism".

Supported by Washington, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spearheaded the military campaign that ousted Islamic State (IS) group jihadists from Syria in 2019 and controls dozens of prisons and camps where thousands of suspected militants and their relatives are held.

The US maintains troops in northern Syria as part of an anti-jihadist coalition.