In a move that caught White House officials unawares, United
States President Donald Trump has announced plans to lift decades-long
sanctions on Syria.
Syria was first sanctioned in 1979 when it was designated a
state sponsor of terrorism, resulting in restrictions on US foreign aid, a ban
on defence sales, export controls on dual-use items, and various financial
restrictions.
The most severe sanctions were triggered by the Bashar
al-Assad regime’s brutal suppression of protests during the Arab Spring,
leading to widespread human rights abuses and a devastating civil war.
Trump pledged to erase the sanction-covered slate against
the Middle Eastern country during his four-day state visit to the region which
began Tuesday.
He said his decision was “to give them a chance at
greatness”.
“Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” Trump said, referring to
Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman.
“It’s their time to shine,” Trump added. “Good luck, Syria.”
On Wednesday, Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa,
telling the former jihadist he had an “extraordinary opportunity”.
Sharaa fought against US forces in Iraq and had a $10
million US bounty on him until December 2024.
Trump said Washington is looking towards exploring
normalising ties with Damascus.
It was the first meeting between a US and a Syrian president
for 25 years, and a key milestone for Syria’s reintegration into the
international arena, after the toppling of al-Assad’s regime in 2024.
Since arriving Riyadh, Trump has secured a $142 billion arms
deal with Saudi Arabia, as well as other investments that the country’s crown
prince said could eventually be worth $1 trillion.
From Riyadh, Trump headed for Qatar and the UAE. The latter
has committed to investing $1.4 trillion in the US over the next decade.
The trip is part of Trump’s efforts to woo investors to the
US.
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