Welcome to the News Hour. A remarkable moment today at the UN General Assembly in New York,

a man who just one year ago had a U.S. bounty on his head strode to the center of the world stage

as the president of Syria. For the first time in nearly 60 years, a Syrian leader spoke to the

assembled dignitaries. And this time, it's Ahmed al-Shara, who fought the Assad regime for more than a decade,

and before that, fought the Americans in Iraq.

Ali Rogan has more.

The shadowy militant commander

the U.S. once hunted across Syria,

now that nation's leader,

making history as he took the stage at the UN General

Assembly. Syria has transformed from an exporter of crisis to an opportunity for peace for Syria

and the region. Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara called for a lifting of all sanctions and promised

a new Syria free of its wretched past.

Syria today is rebuilding itself through establishing a new state building institutions

and laws that guarantee the rights of all without exception.

While turning the page of a wretched past, we are determined to restore Syria's glory, dignity and honor.

It's a stunning shift for a man who, until recently,

was designated a terrorist by the U.S. and UN.

Alshara has traded his fatigues for tailored suits,

and this week embrace the global stage in New York City,

meeting world leaders, including

Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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