Washington partially lifts sanctions on Syria, and Damascus welcomes the decision

 

                                                      US decision to partially lift sanctions on Syria

Damascus: US decision to partially lift sanctions is a prelude to rebuilding the state

The Syrian Foreign Ministry considered the US decision to partially lift sanctions imposed on Damascus an important step toward alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people, rebuilding the state, and revitalizing the national economy.

The US State Department confirmed that this decision paves the way for US President Donald Trump's vision of building a new relationship between Washington and Damascus. The Trump administration promptly fulfilled its pledge to Syria and lifted a significant portion of the sanctions. The US Treasury issued General License No. 25, which facilitates activity in all sectors of the Syrian economy.

The decision to partially lift sanctions did not include any exemptions for terrorist organizations, perpetrators of human rights violations, war crimes, drug traffickers, or the former Assad regime. Among the figures included in the partial lifting of sanctions were Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his Interior Minister, Anas Khattab.

The license allows for all transactions with the Syrian government, provided it does not provide safe haven for terrorist organizations and guarantees the security of religious and ethnic minorities. It also prohibits any transactions that benefit Russia, Iran, or North Korea. In parallel, Washington issued a 180-day waiver from sanctions imposed on Syria under the so-called "Caesar Act."

This measure allowed for sanctions to be imposed on any company, individual, or country that provides significant financial or technical support to the Syrian government. This means that temporarily lifting the waiver will enable several parties to contribute more to unlocking Syria's economic potential. The Syrian statement of thanks was quickly issued.

Damascus considered the American move a positive step in the right direction to alleviate Syria's humanitarian and economic suffering. The statement emphasized that Syria extends its hand to all those who wish to cooperate on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in its internal affairs.

Damascus also expressed its appreciation to all the countries, institutions, and peoples who stood by it on its path toward building a new Syria, and emphasized that the next phase will be one of construction and restoring Syria's natural status within its regional and global environment.