Syria has welcomed remarks made by US President Donald Trump on Monday, indicating he is considering sanctions relief for the country. This comes as the new Syrian authorities seek to rebuild after over a decade of civil war.
President Trump told journalists at the White House that a decision on sanctions would be made, and they may be removed to give Syria a fresh start. He was scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for his first official visit abroad of his second presidency.
Syria's Foreign Ministry issued a statement welcoming Trump's consideration. They regard it as an encouraging step towards alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people. The statement also noted that the Syrian people aspire to a full lifting of these sanctions.
Damascus's self-declared government has been seeking to mend ties with Washington. They hope for relief from debilitating sanctions. The Trump administration has not formally recognized Syria's government, led by Ahmad Al Shara.
Ahmad Al Shara is a former Islamist insurgent who commanded the offensive that led to Bashar Al Assad's removal. Apart from limited sanctions relief, Washington has maintained most restrictions. This complicates Damascus's efforts to reintegrate into the global economy.
The US has stated it will wait to see how the new authorities exercise their power and ensure human rights before fully lifting sanctions. They are opting instead for targeted and temporary exemptions. Western sanctions, mostly issued after the repression of anti-government protesters in 2011, have restricted Syria's ability to rebuild.
The new Syrian authorities have been pushing for US and European sanctions to be lifted. They argue that the sanctions were imposed on the Assad regime. Last month, the UK ended restrictions on a dozen Syrian entities, including government bodies and media outlets.
The EU has also started reducing its measures. These measures aim to support peace and prosperity in both Syria and the region.