But Rubio, like Trump, said the new Syrian leadership was open to normalisation with Israel -- a major priority in the United States. "They've expressed an interest in being at peace with all of their neighbours, including Israel," said Rubio, who spoke Thursday by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani in Turkey on Thursday, the State Department said in a statement. "The Secretary underscored the critical importance of protecting the human rights of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or religion,

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Thursday in Antalya, Turkey with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, the State Department said. It's the first such meeting in 15 years. Why it matters: It's another step in normalizing relations between the countries after President Trump met President Ahmed al-Sharaa and made the shocking pronouncement that the U.