Trump signs decree to lift sanctions against Syria

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to lift the sanctions regime against Syria starting July 1 and has instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review Syria’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House said in a statement.

“President Trump has just signed an executive order to suspend the sanctions program against Syria in support of the country’s stability and peace efforts. The order lifts sanctions against Syria while maintaining restrictions on former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his associates, individuals involved in human rights abuses, drug traffickers, and those involved in chemical weapons development,” reads the statement.

The executive order published by the White House states that the U.S. Department of State should not only review Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism but also “examine the possibilities of easing sanctions through the U.N.,” in an effort to promote stability and peace in Syria.