Main points
- US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 30 ending sanctions against Syria, leaving them in place against Bashar al-Assad and other violators.
- Trump's order includes the possibility of easing export controls and revising Syria's status as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Trump lifts US sanctions against Syria / Photo illustrative Getty Images
The US President signed a historic order ending the sanctions program against Syria. Donald Trump did this to “support the country's path to stability and peace.”
This was reported by Channel 24 , citing the White House.
Trump lifts US sanctions against Syria
The order Trump signed on June 30 lifts sanctions on Syria. But it leaves sanctions in place against Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, individuals linked to chemical weapons activities, ISIS or its affiliates, and Iranian proxies.
The US Secretary of State must assess whether sanctions can be suspended (in whole or in part) if specific criteria are met, in accordance with the Caesar Act, the law that sanctions the Assad regime for atrocities.
The order allows for the easing of export controls on certain goods and waives restrictions on certain foreign aid to Syria.
Among other things, the Secretary of State should reconsider the designation of Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism and explore ways to ease sanctions at the United Nations to maintain stability in the country.
Give Syria a Chance to Succeed: President Trump is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, united, and at peace with itself and its neighbors, the White House said.
At the same time, they noted that the American leader wants Syria to succeed, but not at the expense of US interests.
The U.S. sanctions were imposed in response to the Assad regime's brutal actions against the Syrian people and its direct support for terrorism in the region. The White House noted that recent positive changes and actions taken by the government since the fall of the dictator's brutal regime demonstrate the prospect of a stable and peaceful future.
The White House recalled that on May 13, Trump announced that he was lifting sanctions against Syria to “give them a chance at greatness.” The US President hopes that the new government will succeed in stabilizing the country and maintaining peace.
Trump also believes there is great potential in working with Syria to stop radicalism, improve relations and bring peace to the Middle East.
