Syria hails US lifting of sanctions as ‘positive step’

Syria on Saturday welcomed the formal lifting of sanctions by the United States, calling it a “positive step” that will support the country’s post-war recovery.

“The Syrian Arab Republic welcomes the decision from the American government to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria and its people for long years,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. It described the move as “a positive step in the right direction to reduce humanitarian and economic struggles in the country.”

The United States lifted comprehensive economic sanctions on Syria on Friday, marking a dramatic policy shift following the December overthrow of Bashar al-Assad and opening the door for investment in reconstruction.

The change formalised a decision announced by President Donald Trump during a visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this month. The relief extends to Syria’s new government, with conditions that it not provide safe haven for terrorist organisations and that it ensure security for religious and ethnic minorities, the US Treasury Department said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the waiver would “facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.”

The authorisation also covers new investment in Syria, the provision of financial services, and transactions involving Syrian petroleum products.

“Today’s actions represent the first step on delivering on the president’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States,” Rubio said.

The US had imposed sweeping financial restrictions on Syria during its 14-year civil war and had vowed to block reconstruction efforts as long as al-Assad remained in power.

Since al-Assad’s ouster, Syria’s new government has sought to build ties with Western governments and push for the rollback of sanctions.