Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA-President Ahmad al-Sharaa affirmed that US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria is a courageous, historic decision that alleviated the suffering of the people, helped advance their progress, and laid the foundations for stability in the region.
President al-Sharaa noted that the road ahead is still long, as today the hard work has begun, and with it, Syria’s modern rise toward progress and prosperity has begun.
Following is the full text of President al-Sharaa’s speech to the Syrian people :
To the great Syrian people, Syria has gone through a tragic phase in its modern history under the rule of the fallen regime. During this period, the people were killed, displaced, and disappeared into dark prisons. Voices of suffering rose loudly. The State’s resources were destroyed and plundered by murderous thieves. Syria became a repulsive and alienating environment for its people, its neighbors, the region, and the world., Syria was ostracized and isolated from its brothers, its children, and its neighbors.
Civilizational Syria became alien to its glorious history, far removed from its authenticity, and lagging behind the ranks of nations. There, in the glory of Idleb, and in the shadow of the blessed Syrian revolution, a future was being built for a new Syria.
The country was liberated, and its people rejoiced. Along with them, our brothers in neighboring countries and even the entire world rejoiced. The spirit of belonging returned to our people, and the people’s commitment to their new State became clearly evident.
Brotherly countries and their peoples were keen to share the Syrians’ joy. A window of hope began to appear, overlooking a promising future. However, Syria was shackled by the burdens and groans of the past.
Over the past six months, we have set priorities for addressing the bitter reality that Syria was experiencing, working day and night. We have worked tirelessly to preserve internal unity and civil peace, impose security, restrict weapons, integrate factions into the Ministry of Defense, form the government and the electoral commission, establish parliament, the constitutional declaration, and the national conference, establish a transitional justice body, repeal unjust laws, liberalize the market, assess the institutional and service situation.
All of this coincided with Syrian diplomacy to engage with other countries and introduce them to the new reality of Syria. Syria participated in the most important international forums and conferences, raised the flag of beloved Syria at the United Nations, and succeeded in opening closed doors, paving the way for strategic relations with Arab and Western countries. We witnessed the eagerness of our brotherly countries and discovered that the entire world loves Syria and cares about.
I visited Riyadh several months ago and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He promised me to do his utmost to seek the lifting of sanctions on Syria. I saw in his eyes and the eyes of his people his great love for Syria and his insightful vision for its economic future.
Then I visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has stood by the Syrian people and endured much over the past fourteen years, hosting millions of Syrians.
I saw affection, friendship, joy, and a complete willingness on the part of Syria to stand on its own two feet. Then he visited me and I visited Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, who had a historic stance from the time of liberation.
Then I visited Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who quickly opened the doors of the United Arab Emirates to his Syrian brothers and expressed his complete willingness to do whatever is necessary for Syria to rise again.
The first to congratulate us was King Hamad bin Isa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as our brothers from Kuwait and the Sultan of Oman. I will not forget King Abdullah bin Al Hussein of Jordan, his warm welcome, and the Kingdom’s position on urgent issues.
Similarly, I saw with my own eyes President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt, who has taken a great interest in promoting Syria’s rebirth and reconstruction.
I also highlight the positions of Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, and Yemen, and President Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who expressed his desire to restore Syrian-Iraqi relations.
We met with President Macron, who expressed his willingness to lift sanctions against Syria, along with key European Union countries such as Germany, Italy, and Spain. Great Britain also moved quickly to lift sanctions against beloved Syria.
My people, your unity, your love for your country, your sacrifices for it, your suffering in the camps, the blood of martyrs and detainees, your expression of joy for the new Syria, and your rallying around its leadership have had a significant impact on influencing international opinion on Syria.
The interaction of Syrian communities abroad and their constructive contribution to the demand to lift sanctions has also had a significant impact.
My fellow Syrians, the cohesion and unity of the people, both at home and abroad, their closeness to their brothers and their good neighborliness, are a strong asset for Syria, and today we are witnessing the fruits of this in action.
Today, I am not only celebrating the lifting of sanctions on Syria. Our joy lies in the sincere brotherhood and the return of fervent sentiments among the peoples of the region, their kings, princes, and presidents. Unity of decision and direction cannot be disappointed by God. Prince Mohammed bin Salman has fulfilled his promise, President Erdoğan has fulfilled his love, Prince Tamim has fulfilled his loyalty, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has fulfilled his eagerness, and all the other rulers have fulfilled their feelings. President Trump, thankfully, responded to this love.
The decision to lift the sanctions was a courageous and historic one, alleviating the suffering of the people, aiding their renaissance, and laying the foundations for stability in the region.
Fellow Syrians, the road ahead is still long. Today, serious work has begun, we will build Syria towards progress, prosperity, knowledge, and work. From this standpoint, we affirm that Syria is committed to enhancing the investment climate, developing economic legislation, and providing the necessary facilities to enable domestic and foreign capital to contribute effectively to reconstruction and comprehensive development.
We welcome all investors from within and outside the country, as well as from our Arab and Turkish brothers and friends around the world, and invite them to take advantage of the opportunities available in various sectors.
Syria pledges to be a land of peace and joint action, and to be loyal to every hand extended to it in good faith. Syria will no longer be an arena for power struggles, nor a platform for foreign ambitions.
We will not allow the division of Syria, nor will we give way to the revival of the narratives of the former regime aimed at fragmenting our people.
Syria belongs to all Syrians, regardless of their sects and ethnicities, and to everyone living on this blessed land.
Coexistence is our heritage throughout history. The divisions that have torn us apart have always been the result of foreign interventions, and today we collectively reject them.
Experiences have taught us that our strength lies in our unity, and that the path to progress can only be paved with solidarity and hard work.
We will never forget our martyrs and the wounded, nor will we neglect the rights of those who have lost their loved ones. They will be present at every step toward the future. Long live a free and proud Syria, and long live its great people.
MHD Ibrahim
