Barak was appointed as his country's envoy to Syria on May 23. He is also the US ambassador to Türkiye.
Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani and the US envoy inaugurated the US ambassador's residence in Damascus, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
US President Donald Trump had previously said that Barak was well aware of the great potential of working with Syria "to improve relations, establish peace, and stop extremism in the Middle East."
The new Syrian administration is looking for international and regional support to help it address the repercussions of ousted President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule (2000-2024).
On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions completed their control of the country, ending 61 years of brutal Baath Party rule, including 53 years of Assad family control.
On January 29, 2025, the new Syrian administration declared Ahmed al-Sharaa president for a five-year transitional period.
