Trump set to meet Syria's interim president, plans to lift sanctions
The White House says the meeting, the first between the two leaders, will take place on Wednesday in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The US president is currently visiting the country.
Trump said in a speech delivered on Tuesday in Riyadh that he would be "ordering the cessation of sanctions" against Syria. The punitive measures were imposed on Syria's previous administration of President Bashar al-Assad.
Trump says he decided to lift the sanctions after discussing the situation in Syria with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and others.
Trump said that, in Syria, "There is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace." He added, "That's why my administration has already taken the first steps toward restoring normal relations between the United States and Syria for the first time."
Trump said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Turkey this week to hold talks with Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, foreign minister of Syria's interim government.
Syria's state-run news agency said al-Shibani welcomed Trump's plans to lift the sanctions. He told the media that this development represents a pivotal turning point for the Syrian people as they move toward reconstruction after years of devastating war.
He added that Syrians are ready to build a relationship with the US based on mutual respect, trust and common interests.
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