LONDON: The ending of tough US sanctions against Syria moved a step closer on Wednesday when the US Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of a sweeping defense bill.The National Defense Authorization Act, which sets out a record $901 billion in annual military spending, included measures to repeal the “Caesar Act” financial restrictions placed on Damascus.
The sanctions were imposed in 2020 against former President Bashar Assad’s regime over the human-rights abuses carried out during the civil war.
Assad was driven from power a year ago and the new government has worked to end Syria’s international isolation and has won support from President Donald Trump.
Removing US restrictions on trade and investment with the country is seen as a crucial step in helping it recover from the devastating 13-year conflict.
The legislation will now pass to the president who the White House has said will sign it into law.
Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, welcomed the progress of the bill.
“We express our sincere gratitude to the US Senate for its support of the Syrian people through its vote to repeal the Caesar Act,” he wrote on X.“We consider this step a positive development that opens new horizons for cooperation and partnership between our country and the world.”