Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been directed to consider suspending certain sanctions under the Caesar Act.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order to lift financial sanctions on Syria, which the White House has described as an important step towards stability in the country, especially after the removal of President Bashar al-Assad from power.
According to a White House spokesman, the executive order revokes the 2004 declaration under which the Syrian government’s assets were frozen and export restrictions were imposed based on its chemical weapons program.
While the move will lift most financial sanctions, some sanctions will remain in place, including those imposed under the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act.
The sanctions are aimed at limiting financial assistance for reconstruction and natural gas development in Syria, while the US declaration that Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism will also remain in place.
The new order directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider lifting certain sanctions under the Caesar Act, allowing for the easing of controls on certain exports, and lifting certain restrictions on foreign aid.
The Secretary of State is also directed to review the designation of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa as a terrorist and Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and to consider possible steps to ease sanctions through the United Nations.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Hassan al-Shaibani welcomed the move, saying that the lifting of most sanctions imposed on Syria under President Trump’s historic executive order paves the way for economic recovery. It will create the necessary conditions for reconstruction, infrastructure restoration, and the dignified return of displaced Syrians.
