U.S. lifts all economic sanctions on Syria

 

U.S. lifts all economic sanctions on Syria

 U.S.  President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday lifting nearly all economic sanctions on Syria.  Trump took this step to fulfill the promise made to the country's new interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

 This was reported by Arab News on Tuesday, July 1.

 "White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt said the move was intended to" "encourage and support the nation's journey toward stability and peace."  ""

 "Brad Smith, the Treasury's acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said the executive order would" "end the country's isolation from the international financial system, open up global trade and attract investment from the region's neighbors as well as the United States."  "" '

 However, the order issued on Monday did not lift the sanctions that had been placed on Bashar al-Assad, his top aides, family members, and officials who were involved in violations of human rights, drug trafficking, or chemical weapons programs. The "Caesar Act" is a set of restrictions that can only be lifted through legislation. After the signing on Monday, the White House released the full text of the executive order in X, but reporters were not allowed in during the signing.

 In May, sanctions against Syria were finally lifted for the first time. It was the first step in fulfilling a promise to lift a half-century-long embargo on a country ravaged by nearly 13 years of civil war.

 "Monday's executive order lifts economic sanctions as well as the" "national emergency" "declared by former President George W.  Bush over Syria's occupation of Lebanon and its weapons of mass destruction and missile programs."  Five other executive orders related to Syria have also been revoked.

 However, restrictions targeting terrorist groups and the manufacture and sale of the amphetamine-like drug Captagon will remain in place.

 In May, Trump met with the interim leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia and promised to lift sanctions and normalize relations between the United States and Syria. "" "This is another promise fulfilled," "Levitt said."  Trump carried out his words. '

 The European Union has also lifted all sanctions on Syria.

 However, there are still some restrictions.  "The U.S. still lists Syria as a" "state sponsor of terrorism" "and al-Sharaa as a" "foreign terrorist organization."  ""

 A State Department official said they were reviewing the listing.