US State Department Spokesman: President Trump will issue executive orders to lift sanctions imposed on Syria

Damascus, SANA-US State Department Spokesman, Michael Mitchell, announced that President Donald Trump will issue executive orders to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, after passing certain necessary legal procedures.

“The Trump administration has recognized the extent of the suffering caused by the sanctions imposed on Syria and has acknowledged that the time has come to lift them, as they were imposed on the Assad regime,” Mitchell said in a statement to the Syrian News Channel ( Al-Ikhbaria).

He noted that lifting those sanctions provides the Syrian people with an opportunity for a better future and represents the first step toward better and stronger relations between the United States and Syria.

“There is no timetable for lifting the sanctions, because we have some legal and administrative procedures ahead of us. Some of these sanctions were issued under executive measures, and that would be easier. However, there are sanctions issued by the Congress, and that requires obtaining its approval after taking additional administrative measures. The Congress has its own procedures that differs from President Trump’s executive authority,” Mitchell said.

The US State Department spokesperson pointed out that what is happening in Syria concerns everyone. It is a vital country, and it makes sense for Washington to open a dialogue with all its regional partners to help Syria. Its people are experiencing a tragedy and are in need of assistance. The lifting of sanctions within this framework provides an opportunity to consolidate security and stability.

Mazen Eyon