Trump lifts Syria sanctions:White House

President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order lifting US sanctions on Syria in a move that ends the country's isolation from the global financial system. In an executive order, Trump terminated the "national emergency" in place since 2004 that imposed far-reaching sanctions on Syria, affecting most state-run institutions including the central bank. "This is in an effort to promote and support the country's path to stability and peace," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

The order, released by the White House, said that Syria has been "transformed" since the fall of Assad, including through "positive actions taken by the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa." The orders still maintain sanctions on elements of the former government, including Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia late last year.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani said the US move marked a "major turning point."During a meeting in Saudi Arabia in May, Trump told Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa that he would lift sanctions and consider restoring diplomatic ties with the country, marking a significant shift in US' policy toward the country.