US President Donald Trump has announced plans to lift sanctions on Syria before a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country’s interim leader.
Trump will greet Al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Middle East. The White House confirmed the encounter.
In Damascus, the capital of Syria, residents celebrated the news with cheers, dancing, and gunfire.
Aid restrictions caused by the sanctions affected the country as President Bashar al-Assad’s regime was under pressure.
Trump will greet Al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Middle East. The White House confirmed the encounter.
In Damascus, the capital of Syria, residents celebrated the news with cheers, dancing, and gunfire.
Aid restrictions caused by the sanctions affected the country as President Bashar al-Assad’s regime was under pressure.
Trump stated that the policy change will provide Syria the opportunity to achieve greatness, stating at an investment forum in Riyadh, “it’s their time to shine.”
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani hailed the decision as a pivotal turning point for the country by speaking with the state news agency Sana.
The country is hopeful for a future of stability, self-sufficiency, and rebuilding after years of destructive war.
Following Assad’s exit, ninety percent of Syria’s population was below the poverty line, and the new government has been seeking an end to sanctions.
Al-Sharaa, Syria’s leader, stated in a BBC interview last year that Syria poses no threat to the world and requested sanctions to be lifted.
He also advocated for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group that ousted Assad, to be removed from the terrorist organization list.
Al-Shaiba emphasized at a press conference with France’s President Emmanuel Macron that sanctions were imposed on the previous regime for its crimes, and that regime is gone.
Despite promises to protect ethnic minorities, the killing of hundreds of civilians and conflicts among various factions have raised fears.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani hailed the decision as a pivotal turning point for the country by speaking with the state news agency Sana.
The country is hopeful for a future of stability, self-sufficiency, and rebuilding after years of destructive war.
Following Assad’s exit, ninety percent of Syria’s population was below the poverty line, and the new government has been seeking an end to sanctions.
Al-Sharaa, Syria’s leader, stated in a BBC interview last year that Syria poses no threat to the world and requested sanctions to be lifted.
He also advocated for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group that ousted Assad, to be removed from the terrorist organization list.
Al-Shaiba emphasized at a press conference with France’s President Emmanuel Macron that sanctions were imposed on the previous regime for its crimes, and that regime is gone.
Despite promises to protect ethnic minorities, the killing of hundreds of civilians and conflicts among various factions have raised fears.
The US’s decision is a significant boost for Al-Sharaa, marking a foreign policy shift for the US. Previously, the US stated it would not lift sanctions until issues like minority rights progressed.
Trump’s announcement followed a request from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
During his tour of the Middle East, Trump met with the Saudi Crown Prince and announced a $142bn arms deal.
Robert Ford, the former US ambassador to Syria, supported the Trump administration’s move to lift sanctions, stating it would facilitate the rebuilding of the country.
Trump’s tour will include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump’s announcement followed a request from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
During his tour of the Middle East, Trump met with the Saudi Crown Prince and announced a $142bn arms deal.
Robert Ford, the former US ambassador to Syria, supported the Trump administration’s move to lift sanctions, stating it would facilitate the rebuilding of the country.
Trump’s tour will include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
