A delegation of US diplomats visiting Syria had a "positive" meeting on Friday with the country's new ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a Syrian official told AFP.
"The meeting took place, and it was positive. And the results will be positive, God willing," the official said on condition of anonymity.
A planned press conference by the US delegation was "cancelled due to security concerns".
US diplomats have not been to Damascus on a formal mission since the early days of the civil war that erupted after Assad cracked down on anti-government protests in 2011.
The delegation would also meet with activists, minority groups and civil society representatives, the State Department said.
The group includes Barbara Leaf, the top State Department official for the Middle East, as well as the US point man on hostages, who has been seeking clues on missing Americans including Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012.
Their visit follows a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, revealing direct contact with HTS.
With AFP
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