DAMASCUS: Syria on Tuesday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on the country, calling it a “pivotal turning point,” as celebrations broke out in Damascus.
The Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement that the country welcomed Trump’s announcement, calling it a “pivotal turning point for the Syrian people, as we seek to emerge from a long and painful chapter of war.”
“The removal of those sanctions offers a vital opportunity for Syria to pursue stability, self-sufficiency, and meaningful national reconstruction, led by and for the Syrian people,” the statement added.
In a speech given in Riyadh amidst Trump’s trip to the Middle East, the US president said he “will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.”
Ever since overthrowing longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December, Syria’s new rulers have been pushing Western states to lift sanctions imposed on the country largely during the former president’s rule.
During his visit to Paris last week, Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa said there was no justification for maintaining European sanctions imposed against the Assad government.
“These sanctions were imposed on the previous regime because of the crimes it committed, and this regime is gone,” Sharaa said in a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
“With the removal of the regime, these sanctions should be removed as well, and there is no justification for keeping the sanctions,” he added.
US sanctions have isolated Syria from the global financial system and imposed a range of economic restrictions on the government throughout more than a decade of civil war.
The lingering sanctions have widely been seen as a major obstacle to Syria’s economic recovery and post-war reconstruction.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani expressed “gratitude” to Saudi Arabia for its role in pushing for the lifting of the sanctions.
Celebration across Syria
Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Trump’s lifting of sanctions “will help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and will create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence in Syria’s future.”
Syrians met the news with joy and celebration, with dozens of men, women and children gathering in Damascus’s Umayyad Square. They blasted music while others drove by in their cars waving Syrian flags.
“My joy is great, this decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down,” said Huda Qassar, a 33-year-old English language teacher, celebrating with her compatriots.
In the northern province of Idlib, manufacturer Bassam Al-Ahmed, 39, said he was very happy about the lifting of US sanctions.
“It is the right of the Syrian people, after 14 years of war and 50 years of the Assads’ oppression, to live through stability and safety,” he said.
“The most important thing is economic stability, which cannot be achieved without lifting American sanctions to increase investment opportunities within Syria and encourage people to work, in addition to securing raw materials and many products that Syria has been deprived of due to sanctions,” he added.

BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam made an unexpected visit to Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport on Tuesday to review flight and safety measures.

The premier highlighted his commitment to maintaining the facility as a bright gateway for Lebanon to the world.

Salam, accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, held a meeting with airport security chief Brig. Gen. Fadi Kfoury and other officials.

According to Salam’s media office, the airport officials briefed him “on the measures implemented to enhance security and safety at the airport, facilitate the entry and exit of travelers, expedite transit operations, reduce waiting times and improve the overall travel experience.”

The visit fulfilled a request by the ambassadors of Gulf countries to Lebanon, who held a meeting with Salam last week to encourage the return of Gulf tourists to Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun concluded his visit to Kuwait on Monday, which included discussions with Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace. The emir highlighted Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening Lebanese-Gulf and Arab relations.

Lebanon has a historic opportunity to define its future and overcome all past challenges, he said.

According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, the Kuwaiti emir expressed “Kuwait’s satisfaction with the results of the meeting of the ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with the Lebanese prime minister, which discussed the return of GCC citizens to Lebanon.”

Al-Sabah also praised the security cooperation between the two countries and condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Meanwhile, UNIFIL forces on Monday announced the discovery of more than 225 weapon caches south of the Litani River.

All weapons were transferred to Lebanese military authorities.

A UNIFIL statement said that the Lebanese Armed Forces have reestablished a presence at more than 120 permanent positions throughout southern Lebanon with peacekeeping support.

However, complete border deployment remains hindered by Israel’s “military presence on Lebanese territory.”