Trump set to sign order lifting sanctions on Syria, says White House
US President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 14. PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is set to sign on June 30 an executive order terminating a US sanctions programme on Syria to allow an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system, in line with Washington's pledge to help Syria rebuild after a devastating civil war.
The move will allow the US to maintain sanctions on Syria's ousted former president Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, people linked to chemical weapons activities, the Islamic State and ISIS affiliates and proxies for Iran, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters in a briefing.
Mr Assad was toppled in December in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels and Syria has since taken steps to re-establish international ties, but the country remains unstable.
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mr Trump met in Riyadh in May where, in a major policy shift, Mr Trump unexpectedly announced he would lift US sanctions on Syria, prompting Washington to significantly ease its measures.
Some in Congress are pushing for the measures to be totally repealed, while Europe has announced the end of its economic sanctions regime.
'He's committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified and at peace with itself and its neighbours,' Ms Leavitt said. 'This is another promise made and promise kept by this president to promote peace and stability in the region.'
CBS earlier reported that the order, scheduled to be signed June 30 afternoon, was tied to US easing sanctions on Syria.
Layers of US sanctions
A Reuters investigation published on June 30 revealed the role of Syrian government forces in the killing of more than 1,500 Syrian Alawites over three days of massacres along the country's Mediterranean coast in March. The Trump administration had no comment on the Reuters report.
It was not immediately clear if Washington was lifting the sanctions on any of the factions that Reuters found were involved.
Syrians hope the easing of sanctions will clear the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organisations working in the country, encouraging foreign investment and trade as it rebuilds.
In the aftermath of Mr Trump's announcement in May, the US Treasury Department issued a general license that authorized transactions involving the interim Syrian government as well as the central bank and state-owned enterprises.
However, the US has imposed layers of sanctions against Syria, some of which are authorised by legislation, including the Caesar Act. Repealing the measures is necessary for Syria to attract long-term investment without parties fearing the risk of violating US sanctions.
Most of the US sanctions on Syria were imposed on Mr Assad's government and key individuals in 2011 after civil war erupted in the country. REUTERS
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