U.S. President's decision follows a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with regional leaders expressing support.
U.S. President
Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, following a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Saudi-American Investment Forum held in Riyadh.
Trump stated that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet with his Syrian counterpart later in Turkey, marking a potential shift in diplomatic relations.
In his remarks, Trump described the sanctions as 'brutal' yet acknowledged their necessity during the time of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
He expressed a desire to provide the Syrian people with 'a wonderful opportunity' and urged them to demonstrate 'something special'.
Additionally, he indicated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had also requested the lifting of these sanctions.
Following Trump's announcement, Syria welcomed the proposed lifting of sanctions.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shbibani expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its efforts in supporting the move to lift what he termed 'unjust sanctions'.
He framed the development as a victory for Arab unity and emphasized the importance of Saudi diplomacy in stabilizing Syria.
Al-Shbibani regarded the lifting of sanctions as a significant step toward reconstruction and reiterated Syria's aspirations for a new chapter in its relationship with the United States based on mutual respect and shared interests.
In a similar vein, Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, acknowledged Trump's decision as a courageous move, with hopes it would lead to Syria's recovery and stability.
They emphasized the potential positive impacts on Lebanon and the broader region.
Jordan's Foreign Ministry also released a statement welcoming the U.S. decision, calling it an important step toward reconstructing Syria and fostering economic collaboration between Syria and the international community, which could lead to enhanced prosperity for the Syrian populace.
Trump’s announcement received enthusiastic applause from attendees at the Saudi-American Investment Forum.
According to reports, the event was characterized by a notable appreciation for Saudi efforts in supporting Syria during the ongoing crisis.
In anticipation of further developments, the White House confirmed that President Trump would greet the Syrian president in Saudi Arabia, following their planned meeting, bringing attention to the evolving dynamics in U.S.-Syrian relations.