US issues orders easing Syria sanctions after Trump pledge
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The US Treasury Department issued a general licence that authorises transactions involving the interim Syrian government, the central bank and state-owned enterprises.
FILE PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – The Trump administration issued orders on May 23 that it said would effectively lift sanctions on Syria, after President Donald Trump pledged earlier in the month to unwind the measures to help the country rebuild after a devastating civil war.
The Treasury Department issued a general licence that authorises transactions involving the interim Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as the central bank and state-owned enterprises.
The general licence, known as GL25, “authorises transactions prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria”, the Treasury Department said.
“GL25 will enable new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President’s America First strategy.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a 180-day waiver under the Caesar Act to ensure that sanctions do not obstruct investment and to facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation as well as enable humanitarian efforts, he said in a statement.
“Today’s actions represent the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States,” Mr Rubio noted. He added that Mr Trump had made clear his expectation that sanctions relief would be followed by action by the Syrian government.
The White House said Mr Trump, who met Mr Sharaa last week, asked Syria to adhere to several conditions in exchange for sanctions relief, including telling all foreign militants to leave Syria, deporting what he called Palestinian terrorists, and helping the US prevent the resurgence of ISIS.
“President Trump is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability, both within Syria and in Syria’s relations with its neighbours,” Mr Rubio said.
Syria welcomed the sanctions waiver early on May 24, which the Foreign Ministry called a “positive step in the right direction to alleviate the country’s humanitarian and economic suffering”.
Syria is keen on cooperating with other countries “on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs. It believes that dialogue and diplomacy are the best path to building balanced relations”, the ministry said.
Most of the US sanctions on Syria were imposed on the government of president Bashar al-Assad and key individuals in 2011 after civil war erupted there. Mr Sharaa led militias that overthrew Mr Assad in December.
The general licence names Mr Sharaa, formerly sanctioned under the name Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, among the people and entities with whom transactions are now authorised.
It also lists Syrian Arab Airlines, the Central Bank of Syria and a number of other banks, several state oil and gas companies, and the Four Seasons Damascus hotel.
Mr Trump unexpectedly announced last week that he would lift the sanctions
It is hoped that easing the Syria sanctions will clear the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organisations working in that country, encouraging foreign investment and trade as it rebuilds.
The US first put the country on its list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1979 and since then has added sanctions, including several rounds following the 2011 uprising against Mr Assad. REUTERS
